Veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen may have made his final appearance in an FC Barcelona shirt, reports Mundo Deportivo.
With his loan move to Ajax nearing completion, the Barcelona first captain featured in Friday’s pre-season friendly against CE Europa, a match that could prove to be his farewell as a Blaugrana player.
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Ajax move close to completion
Ter Stegen’s proposed loan to Ajax is now in its final stages, and all indications suggest the deal will be completed in the coming days.
As a result, the 34-year-old is not expected to travel with Barcelona’s squad to St. George’s Park in England on Monday for the club’s pre-season training camp.
Instead, he is likely to head to Amsterdam to begin the next chapter of his career under Ajax manager Michel.
A possible farewell appearance
Although Wojciech Szczesny started the friendly against Europa, Ter Stegen came on for the second half and kept a clean sheet, potentially bringing his Barcelona career to a quiet but fitting conclusion.
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While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, the match may have been his final outing in the club’s colours.
An uncertain future beyond Ajax
Ter Stegen will still have one year remaining on his Barcelona contract once his loan spell ends, leaving his long-term future unresolved.
However, with Hansi Flick no longer considering him part of his plans, the goalkeeper is focused on making the most of the opportunity Ajax have offered him.
The move also reunites him with Michel, who previously coached him during his brief loan spell at Girona.
That experience was cut short after Ter Stegen suffered another injury, limiting him to just two appearances despite making a positive impression.
On his way to Ajax. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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If the loan agreement is completed before 31 July, Ter Stegen will be eligible to register for Ajax’s UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign.
A remarkable Barcelona legacy
If the Europa friendly proves to be Ter Stegen’s final appearance, he will leave Barcelona after 423 competitive matches, conceding 413 goals during his 12 seasons at the club.
His trophy haul places him among the most decorated goalkeepers in Barcelona’s history, having won 21 major honours.
It includes, seven La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies, five Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup
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Should his departure be completed as expected, Ter Stegen will bring an extraordinary Barcelona chapter to a close before beginning a new challenge in Amsterdam.
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