Barcelona have announced that LaLiga has given them the green light to register their new goalkeeper, Joan García, for the 2025/26 season. This was made possible after captain Marc-André ter Stegen was officially placed on the long-term injury list.

The approval helps Barcelona reduce pressure on their salary cap and gives them the chance to sign more players without breaking financial fair play rules.

In recent weeks, there had been tension between Ter Stegen and the club over how long he would be out of action.

At first, the German shot-stopper refused to sign the medical report that coach Hansi Flick’s team needed to submit to LaLiga.

Ter Stegen had said that his recovery from lower back surgery, which he had in July, would take around three months.

However, Barcelona believed his absence would last longer. Because of this, they placed the 33-year-old on the long-term injury list, opening the door for García’s registration.