Barcelona insert ‘fear clause’ in Ter Stegen loan agreement with Girona – report | OneFootball

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, the imminent loan move of Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona to Girona will include a specific and strategic condition – a so-called fear clause.

It is known that the German goalkeeper is set to spend the second half of the 2025–26 season at Girona. 

However, Barcelona have been careful to protect their sporting interests while facilitating the move. 

As part of the agreement, Barça have stipulated that Ter Stegen cannot be selected for the La Liga fixture between Girona and Barcelona, which is scheduled to be played at Montilivi on February 15.

What’s the story?

This type of condition, commonly referred to as a “fear clause”, is designed to prevent a player who is still under contract with the parent club from facing them in direct competition. 

In practical terms, it ensures that a footballer whose salary is largely being paid by one club cannot negatively impact that same club’s sporting objectives on the pitch.

Ter Stegen cannot play against Barcelona as a Girona player. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

In this case, Ter Stegen remains one of the most experienced and reliable goalkeepers in Europe, and allowing him to play against Barça, while the Catalan giants continue to cover most of his wages, would be seen as an unnecessary risk. 

It can be broken

That said, the clause is not entirely unbreakable, as Girona technically have the option to override the restriction. 

To do so, they would need to pay a significant financial compensation to Barcelona. However, the report makes it clear that this possibility is not expected to be exercised.

One of the key factors making the loan viable is the financial structure of the deal, as Barcelona have agreed to take on almost the entirety of Ter Stegen’s salary for the remainder of the season. 

Girona will only pay a very small percentage, a condition that Barça themselves imposed in order to reach an agreement quickly and smoothly.