Marc-Andre ter Stegen joins Ajax on season‑long loan from Barcelona
German goalkeeper Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, 34, has been loaned by FC Barcelona to AFC Ajax for the 2026‑27 season. The agreement runs until 30 June 2027, with Barcelona retaining his contract through 2028 and covering roughly 90 % of his salary; Ajax will pay the remainder. The loan, confirmed by both clubs, offers ter Stegen regular playing time after injury‑plagued seasons at Barcelona and a brief, injury‑cut stint at Girona.
Ajax technical director Jordi Cruyff praised the signing, calling ter Stegen an “immediate reinforcement” and noting the long‑standing effort to bring him to Amsterdam. Coach Michel Sánchez, who previously worked with the keeper at Girona, will oversee his integration. The move is also seen as a chance for ter Stegen to revive his prospects with the German national team.
The arrival of a high‑profile goalkeeper impacts other players, notably Indonesian international Maarten Paes, whose starting role at Ajax is now in doubt, and fellow Indonesian keeper Emil Audero, whose playing time elsewhere may also be affected.
Entities: AFC Ajax · FC Barcelona · Jordi Cruyff · Maarten Paes · Marc-Andre ter Stegen · Marc‑Andre ter Stegen · Michel Sánchez · Míchel
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 20 SOURCES] Marc‑André ter Stegen has joined Ajax on a season‑long loan from FC Barcelona. (new)
- [● 20 SOURCES] Ter Stegen previously suffered a back operation and a hamstring injury while on loan at Girona. (new)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Ter Stegen is the third‑choice goalkeeper at Barcelona behind Joan García and Wojciech Szczęsny. (new)
- [● 12 SOURCES] Barcelona will cover approximately 90 % of ter Stegen's salary, with Ajax covering the remaining 10 % (subject to increase based on appearances). (new)
- [● 17 SOURCES] Ajax sporting director Jordi Cruyff said ter Stegen fits the club's needs. (new)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The transfer was delayed due to tax and fiscal issues between Spain and the Netherlands. (new)
- [● 20 SOURCES] The loan agreement runs for one season. (new)
- [● 17 SOURCES] The loan allows Barcelona to reduce its wage bill and potentially sell ter Stegen next summer. (new)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Ter Stegen’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2028. (multiple articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The loan agreement does not include a purchase option. (supporting_article_ids)
- [● 10 SOURCES] Barcelona will cover about 90 % of ter Stegen’s salary, with Ajax paying the remaining 10 % (subject to increase with appearances). (multiple articles)
- [● 9 SOURCES] The loan deal was delayed because of tax and fiscal issues. (multiple articles)