Spanish Goalkeeper Joan García Leaves Espanyol For Rival Club After Paying His Transfers Fee

Joan García has officially announced his departure from RCD Espanyol after the club’s release clause was triggered by FC Barcelona.

The 24‑year‑old goalkeeper spent 15 formative years at Espanyol, progressing through the academy and establishing himself as the first-choice keeper before making the move across the city.

In an emotional video message posted on his social media, García deactivated comments to avoid backlash. He expressed profound gratitude to the club’s coaches, teammates, staff and especially the fans, crediting them for his professional growth and unwavering support during challenging periods .

He acknowledged that his transfer to Barcelona—Espanyol’s fierce city rivals—could be difficult for many supporters to understand. However, he emphasized that the decision was carefully considered, factoring in both his personal development and his family's wellbeing .

“This isn’t just a standard departure—it’s the end of a chapter that has shaped me as both a player and a person,” García stated. “I will always look back with immense pride at defending this goal, representing this badge. I move forward full of respect for everything I leave behind.”  

According to reports, Barcelona paid the €25 million release clause, which, after adjusting for inflation and applicable fees, totaled approximately €26.34 million—a figure confirmed by Espanyol’s owners via their Shenzhen stock market filing . This marks the second-largest sale in Espanyol’s history, surpassed only by Borja Iglesias’s 2019 move to Betis for €28 million .

However, despite securing the transfer, Barcelona still faces squad registration hurdles. La Liga president Javier Tebas has warned that Barça lacks sufficient salary-cap space to register García until significant financial adjustments—such as player sales—are made .

García is expected to sign a long-term contract with Barcelona, possibly until 2031, and earn significantly higher wages—reportedly increasing from around €400,000 per season at Espanyol to approximately €3 million at Barça . The move concludes a remarkable journey that began when he joined Espanyol’s youth ranks at just 15 years old .