FC Barcelona have confirmed that Iñaki Peña has completed a permanent transfer to Panathinaikos, ending his long association with the Catalan club. The 27-year-old goalkeeper leaves after a spell that began in the club’s youth system in 2012, when he arrived from Villarreal and worked his way through La Masia before reaching the first-team squad.
The move was announced on Tuesday, with Barcelona stating that an agreement had been reached with Panathinaikos for Peña to continue his career in Greece. The development gives the goalkeeper a fresh route to regular football after a period in which Barça’s goalkeeping picture had changed significantly.
Peña Exit Clears Another Barcelona Squad Decision
Peña’s first-team debut came in January 2023, but his Barcelona career was also shaped by loan moves. He previously gained senior experience at Galatasaray in 2021/22 and spent last season with Elche CF before returning to the wider Barcelona setup.
Barcelona thanked Peña for his commitment, professionalism and dedication, according to the club’s official transfer announcement, and wished him well for the next stage of his career.
For Hansi Flick’s squad, the transfer removes one uncertainty from the goalkeeper group before pre-season work gathers pace. For Peña, the Panathinaikos move should be judged as a practical reset: a clear destination, a defined new challenge and the chance to turn years of Barcelona development into a more regular senior role.
