Ajax agree season-long loan deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen
Ajax have reached a full agreement in principle to sign the 34-year-old Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen on a season-long loan for the 2026-27 campaign. Both The Athletic and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano have confirmed the "Here We Go" status of the transfer.
It is a straight loan deal running until the end of June 2027. There is no mention of an option or obligation to buy. The massive hurdle in negotiations was Ter Stegen's significant contract, which runs until 2028. Under the final terms, Barcelona has agreed to cover the majority of his wages. Ajax Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff, who previously worked at Barcelona, spearheaded the negotiations alongside Barça's sporting director, Deco.
Ter Stegen is not part of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick’s core tactical plans moving forward. The club recently handed their starting goalkeeper spot to Joan García, while Wojciech Szczęsny remains in the pecking order.
Ter Stegen is a top priority for Ajax's project under manager Míchel. The player already shares an excellent professional relationship with Míchel, having spent the second half of the 2025–26 season on loan under him at Girona.
After a tough, injury-plagued season where a hamstring injury limited his appearances at Girona and cost him a spot in Germany's summer World Cup squad, Ter Stegen is highly motivated to secure guaranteed playing time, The Athletic reports.
The deal is finalized verbally, with the player giving his green light. Official club announcements and paperwork completions are expected within the coming days.
Ter Stegen is one of the most decorated and elite modern goalkeepers, boasting over 20 major trophies won primarily across a highly successful decade with FC Barcelona. He was voted La Liga player of the season in the 2022-23 season, a massive rarity for a goalkeeper.
The Ter Stegen signing is Ajax’s second major addition this summer. They completed the signing of Brazilian left back Caio Henrique earlier this week. According to Romano, Ajax paid a fixed fee of €10 million plus €4 million in performance-related add-ons to secure his transfer.
Cruijff heavily praised Henrique’s veteran status, noting that he brings an immediate "wealth of experience and leadership" to a defense looking to return to winning domestic and European silverware.
