OFFICIAL: Eric García renews with FC Barcelona until 2031

The board of FC Barcelona closed, as planned, the renewal of Eric García. The willingness of both parties to agree on the contract, which was initially set to end in June 2026, had been total for several weeks and, finally, the 24-year-old defender has signed for five more seasons, until June 2031

The player from Martorell came very close to returning to Girona, where he played on loan in 23/24, last January, but Hansi Flick blocked his departure. The manager considers him a vital piece for the Barça defense thanks to his dedication, professionalism, and versatility.

In the final stretch of the previous season, the '24' definitively earned his place as the replacement for Jules Koundé at right-back, and after the departure of Iñigo Martínez in the summer, any doubts about his continuity were dispelled

Eric's Official Renewal Ceremony, Next Thursday

Although the club already announced Eric's renewal on its social media, the official signing of the new contract will take place next Thursday, December 11, at 1:30 PM in the office of president Joan Laporta

The event will be attended by the footballer's agent, Iván de la Peña, as well as the Blaugrana sporting director, Deco. The defender will make statements to the press after signing his new contract, which will allow him to reach a decade in the first team after his time at Manchester City.

García left La Masia for England in 2017. After two years in the 'sky blue' club's youth ranks, he made the leap to the first team in 19/20, but failed to secure a starting position under **Pep Guardiola**.Finally, in June 2021, he returned to Barça on a free transfer, after playing 35 official matches with City (providing one assist). After two seasons as a substitute, Xavi Hernández approved his loan to Girona in 2023. After the departure of the Terrassa-born coach and the arrival of Flick on the bench, the German opted for his permanence in the squad

Eric García: Professionalism and Love for the Club as Keys to His Success

Eric García training at the Ciutat Esportiva

In 24/25, **Eric scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 45 appearances (2,104 minutes)**, despite missing 8 games due to physical issues in the early months of the season.

In the current season, the 24-year-old defender is the only player to have played all 20 of Barça's matches between La Liga (15) and the Champions League (5), being the footballer with the most minutes played (1,510) after alternating three positions on the field: right-back, center-back, and defensive midfielder.

Thanks to his dedication on the field and in training, García has become one of Hansi Flick's most trusted players. It doesn't matter where he plays or if he starts or comes on as a substitute: the academy product always repays the trust with good performances, solid in defense and always alert to join the attack on a counter or set piece.

So far, he has accumulated 7 goals and 6 assists in 135 official matches with Barça. Eric has earned the respect of the locker room and the affection of the fans, as well as the trust of a board that at the beginning of the year considered him a discard along with other players who, in the end, left last summer, such as Pau Víctor, Pablo Torre, and Ansu Fati.

Hansi Flick is clear: Eric García can be Barça's captain

In the press conference prior to the Betis-Barça match on matchday 15 of LaLiga, Hansi Flick applauded Eric García's renewal, in addition to praising his commitment and importance within the group.

"He lives for the team. Since we arrived, we saw great potential in him. Last year he had some injury problems, but he overcame them. He suffered, but he pushed through and started playing because he deserved it. He is a great professional and I believe his renewal is deserved," the manager began.In addition, the Barça coach made it clear that the 24-year-old defender is already one of the dressing room leaders and, therefore, can wear the captain's armband in the future. For now, Barça's captains are Ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Pedri, Gavi, and Lewandowski

"The level he gives us is incredible. He is a player who knows the club and is very important in the locker room. He lives Barça with great intensity and loves this club. I am convinced that he could be a good captain in the future". 

Eric García's Records with FC Barcelona

1. Matches played: 135
2. Goals: 7
3. Assists: 6
4. Yellow cards: 17
5. Red cards: 2
6. Minutes played: 8,294
7. Titles: 5 (two Leagues, one Copa del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups)

Player Profile