Wojciech Szczęsny, the 34-year-old Polish goalkeeper, has reportedly signed a one-year contract with FC Barcelona after undergoing medical tests in the Catalan capital. The former Juventus star was sought by the club following a serious injury to their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. Szczęsny’s return to professional football comes shortly after announcing his retirement in late August.
The injury to Ter Stegen left Barcelona in a precarious position, with backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña stepping in, but his limited experience has raised concerns, especially after conceding four goals in Barcelona’s recent 2-4 loss to Osasuna. Given that the transfer window has closed, Barcelona could only sign a free agent, and Szczęsny was the top choice due to his extensive experience and close relationship with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.
Emergency Signing After Ter Stegen Injury
Szczęsny’s signing was made possible by a La Liga rule that allows teams to bring in replacements in the case of long-term injuries. The club will allocate up to 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary to cover Szczęsny’s wages, which are expected to be around €3 million gross annually.
Szczęsny, who resides in Marbella, Spain, had already begun personal training sessions while negotiating terms with Barcelona. On Monday, he flew to Barcelona for his medical examination and contract signing. Despite efforts to keep the proceedings private, Spanish journalists spotted the goalkeeper at Malaga Airport.
A Return to the Pitch
Szczęsny is set to watch Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League match against Young Boys from the stands, but he may not debut until October 20, when Barcelona faces Sevilla. The Polish goalkeeper will have time to train with the squad during the international break before being fully integrated into the team.
Storied Career
Szczęsny, who hails from Warsaw, Poland, began his career at Legia Warsaw before joining Arsenal’s academy at age 16. He has since played for Arsenal, Brentford, Roma, and Juventus, where he won multiple league and cup titles. He also boasts 84 appearances for the Polish national team, the most of any goalkeeper in Poland’s history, and participated in six major tournaments, including Euro 2024 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His imminent return to the top level of football is eagerly anticipated, as fans await his official presentation as Barcelona’s new signing.
