Joan Garcia Confirmed as Barcelona’s New No. 1

Joan Garcia has been registered with LaLiga for the new campaign and will wear Barcelona’s No. 1 shirt, taking the number left vacant by Marc-Andre ter Stegen after the German’s loan move to Ajax. The 25-year-old, signed from city rivals Espanyol last year, is now formally the Blaugrana’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The switch has a knock-on effect between the posts. Wojciech Szczesny, who took the No. 25 shirt when he arrived, moves to the No. 13 that Garcia wore last season, according to Barça Universal. The club’s third-choice goalkeeper is expected to inherit the vacated 25.

Joan Garcia registered early this time

The timing is a marked change from twelve months ago, when Barcelona only completed Garcia’s paperwork on the day of their opener against Mallorca — a registration made possible by the salary-cap space freed up by ter Stegen’s long-term back injury. This time the club has moved well in advance. Hansi Flick’s side do not begin their LaLiga campaign until Sunday 23 August, away at Elche, having been handed an extra week of pre-season because ten of his players reached the World Cup semi-finals.

Garcia, already back in training earlier than expected, will wear his new No. 1 in that opener — the first of many Barça team news calls Flick must settle before the season kicks off at the Spotify Camp Nou’s first full campaign back.