New Barcelona who signed Joan Garcia went from Survival Hero to Public Enemy Number One in Espanyol in a few weeks between May and June. The Catalan goalkeeper decided to join their most bitter rivals after Barcelona had activated his release clause of € 25 million.
It now seems that it will be available for their La Liga debut against RCD Mallorca on Saturday too. The Blaugrana have now received approval to activate the rule for emergency injuries after the back operation of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, allowing them to register Garcia.
In the run -up to his move there was a lot of speculation around his intentions, with a number of stories that were on the rise and say that he would not consider moving to Barcelona because of its rivalry. But when it came to a career decision, Garcia didn't think twice, as he told MD.
“I have never had any doubts about my future or my sports side. Of course, there are a few doubts from Espanyol, but I didn't have one on the sports side.”
Garcia noted that he was relaxed about his registration situation and confirmed that “I knew what I was starting.” He thanked the fans of Barcelona for their welcome.
“First of all, thank you very much for the welcome that you gave me in a somewhat complicated situation, and for coming here to give everything, to help in any way I can.”
And also had a message for the Espanyol fans, who responded with Ire.
“I understand them, I understand a bit of the pain they may have felt, the disappointment. I would lie if I said I hadn't thought of them, that I had not had any difficult days to think. But in the end it was the decision I had to make for myself, for my family and for my future.”
Famous, Espanyol coach Manolo Gonzalez made various media performances that claimed that Garcia would not move to Barcelona. In one he said he would “almost bet my hand” not happen.
“Like I said, everyone has their own thoughts, their own opinion. I already said that it might be a bit difficult to understand the move to Barca because I come from Espanyol, but I am clear that this was best for me.”
He also denied that he had told Espanyol's dressing room that he would not move to Barcelona.
'Yes, I spoke [Manolo]. Apart from the sporting aspect, we can find it very well, we died very well. He has been a coach who gave me everything, he gave me his full confidence, and we clearly spoke. I wished him good luck for whatever comes, and he wished me the same. “
Part of the frustration for Espanyol fans was that Garcia seemed to have the option to go somewhere else, with Newcastle United and Manchester City heavily connected to him.
“Many names and many teams come up, but it is not always the case. It is true that there was interest from other teams, but in the end there was nothing above what Barca offered me at a sporting level and in terms of what they are building, their young team, with the potential to win everything. There was nothing and in that sense I was no doubt.”
Garcia was also asked how Barcelona Voetbaldeco director any doubts he would have taken away about the club.
“Above all, the project that is there, the team there, so young, with so much quality. And they gave me the feeling that they really loved me. They did a significant financial obligation that many teams would probably not have done. So I felt that they really loved me, that it was a dedication they made with great determination.