Marc-Andre ter Stegen has officially left FC Barcelona after more than 11 years at the club.
The German goalkeeper is seeking regular minutes to earn a place in Germany's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
What happened?
Ter Stegen's move to Girona was made official, with the goalkeeper sharing a heartfelt message addressed to Barcelona and its fans.
He had been sidelined for over a year due to an ACL injury and back surgery, with his role as starting goalkeeper taken over by Wojciech Szczęsny and Joan Garcia.
Why it matters for Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Ter Stegen's departure from Barcelona comes as he aims to regain his form and earn a spot in Germany's World Cup squad.
With Manuel Neuer now retired from international duty, Germany's staff would be eager to reintegrate Ter Stegen if he regains his form.
What comes next?
Ter Stegen has joined Girona on a loan deal through the end of the season, and will be looking to play regular minutes and impress Germany's coaches.
He remains under contract with Barcelona through June 2028, but his future at the club is uncertain.
Ter Stegen ended his message by wishing Barcelona well for the remainder of the season, saying he hopes to see many more trophies lifted.
The German international had been at Barcelona since July 2014, when he joined from Borussia Mönchengladbach for a €12 million fee.
During his time at the club, Ter Stegen established himself as the undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper, playing a key role in many successes.
But after his injury, he found himself out of the team, and has now made the difficult decision to leave in search of regular minutes.
Ter Stegen's departure is a significant moment in his career, and he will be hoping to make a big impact at Girona and catch the eye of Germany's coaches.
The 33-year-old has a lot to prove, but he is determined to succeed and make his way back into the Germany squad.
Only time will tell if Ter Stegen's decision to leave Barcelona will pay off, but one thing is certain - he will be giving it his all to achieve his goals.
On his last day at Barcelona, Ter Stegen shared a message on Instagram, saying he has mixed feelings about leaving the club.
He thanked the fans, teammates, and staff for their support over the years, and said he will always carry the memories with him.
Ter Stegen's message was a heartfelt and emotional one, and it is clear that he will always cherish his time at Barcelona.
As he begins his new chapter at Girona, Ter Stegen will be looking to make a fresh start and achieve his goals.
With his talent and determination, there is no doubt that he can succeed and make a big impact in the football world.