Joan García is now, in all respects, a player of FC Barcelona. The 24-year-old goalkeeper was presented this Wednesday as the first reinforcement of the azulgrana team for the 2025/26 season, after the payment of his clause (25 million euros) and the signing of a contract for six seasons, until June 2026.
After the official announcement on Barça's networks, the player from Sallent uploaded a video to say goodbye to the team and the 'periquita' fans. The goalkeeper gave some emotional words to thank the club, as well as explaining the reasons for his departure.
Joan García's message to the Espanyol fans
"Today it's my turn to say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15 years old. During all this time I have tried to grow every day as a footballer and as a person, always with humility, effort and the pride of defending the goal of Espanyol," began the Catalan goalkeeper.
In that sense, he highlighted "having given everything to help the team", in addition to understanding the criticism of the 'periquita' fans for his departure. Beyond his transfer, obviously the annoyance in Cornellà lies in his signing for Barça.
"I know that this decision will not be easy to understand for everyone. I'm not asking you to do it. But I do want you to know that it has been a very thoughtful decision, thinking not only about my career but about what is best for the club, for my family and for me," he added.
Finally, he thanked the 'blanquiazul' club for allowing him to make the leap to Primera. "It is not just any goodbye, it is a stage that closes with the conviction that everything I have lived has made me better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the coaches, teammates, staff and all the people who are part of the day-to-day of the club."
Espanyol's cold farewell to Joan García
For its part, the Espanyol board was much less emotional when saying goodbye to the 24-year-old goalkeeper. Through a brief statement, the club announced the transfer of the player from Sallent, who became the second most expensive sale of the 'pericos' in their history.
The most profitable transfer so far for those from Cornellà was Borja Iglesias, who signed for Betis in exchange for 28.1 million euros in 2019, also through the payment of his termination clause. The departure of the 'Panda', however, was less painful for the 'blanquiazules'.
"Goalkeeper Joan Garcia has paid his termination clause (25 million plus the CPI) and ends his stage as an Espanyol player," reads the club's statement. Including the CPI, the total amount of the operation was 26.3 'kilos'.
Of that figure, 18.75 M€ net enter the coffers of Espanyol. 15 M€ are directly accounted for in the profits of the 24/25 financial year, while the remaining 3.75 M€ will be used to invest in the signing of some reinforcement.
The Catalan goalkeeper arrived at the Espanyol academy in 2016 and, four years later, was promoted to the first team. In total, he played 67 matches in which he conceded 72 goals (1.07 per match), with 21 clean sheets, 3 warnings and no expulsions.
Now, Barça must resolve its problems with the financial 'Fair Play' to formally register the player from Sallent. Although the club has not yet returned to the 1:1 rule, the culé board hopes to balance its accounts before next June 30 to move without restrictions in the summer market.
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