Wojciech Szczesny will become the latest man to grace the goalposts for Barcelona after his move to the Catalan giants on a one-year deal was confirmed.
The former Arsenal stopper announced his retirement from football in late August aged 34 claiming he wanted to focus on his family.
But a season-ending knee injury to first choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen saw Barca come calling and Szczesny has now stepped out of retirement 36 days after entering its bliss.
Ter Stegen was stretchered off the pitch against Villarreal in September after tearing his patellar tendon – which connects the kneecap to the shinbone – in his right knee. He was later pictured in a wheelchair at the hospital.
‘I’m very proud to be a Barcelona player,’ Szczesny said in a short video. ‘Visca el Barca (long live Barca!)’
Wojciech Szczesny has signed for Barcelona 36 days after retiring as emergency cover for Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Polish custodian Szczesny retired after his contract at Juventus expired.
He lifted three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia trophies with the Turin giants after playing for Brentford, Arsenal, and Roma. With Arsenal he twice won the FA Cup.
Szczesny also accumulated 84 caps for Poland in an international career spanning from 2009 to 2024, playing at four European Championships and two World Cups.
Barcelona’s options to bring in a replacement were limited after a previous ruling decided clubs would no longer be able to sign a player from another club, as they did in the case of Martin Braithwaite from Leganes in 2020.
Szczesny was amongst a shortlist of names to step into the void between the posts at the LaLiga and Champions League competitors, as well as former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 37.
The club are allowed to pay him up to 80 per cent of Ter Stegen’s £7.5millon salary.
More to follow.
