After Marc-André ter Stegen’s serious knee injury, FC Barcelona signed Wojciech Szczesny as a replacement for the German national goalkeeper. The 34-year-old Pole has signed a contract until June 30, 2025, said the Spanish football club coached by former national coach Hansi Flick. “It is undeniable that his CV offers every possible guarantee,” the Catalans said in a statement.
Szczesny actually ended his career at Juventus Turin in the summer. After Ter Stegen’s injury, he received an offer from the leaders of the Primera División, which he found attractive. It is one of the largest clubs in the world. “I understand the difficult situation that has arisen for you after Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury and I think it would be disrespectful of me not to consider this option,” the goalkeeper was told in the specialist newspaper “Sport ” quoted. His compatriot and long-time national team colleague Robert Lewandowski plays at Barça.
With Iñaki Peña in goal, the Catalans suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday in a 4-2 defeat at CA Osasuna after seven wins at the start of the league. It was only the second encounter since the regular goalkeeper was unavailable. Ter Stegen tore the patellar tendon in his right knee in the 5-1 win at Villarreal a week ago. He has already had surgery. The 32-year-old, who was actually the new number one in the DFB team after Manuel Neuer retired from the national team, will not be available for months.