Joan García: Barcelona's new talent with decade-long potential

On June 20, 2025, 24-year-old Joan García officially became a Barcelona player, signing a contract until 2031. The transfer fee was €25 million.

Who is Joan García?

García is a product of Espanyol's academy, where he climbed through every youth level and made his senior debut in 2021. Until 2024, he had played just nine matches, but then made a stunning breakthrough, becoming a key player and one of the revelations of the 2024/25 La Liga season.

A standout season

• Record number of saves

Last season, García played all 38 league matches, making 145 saves—the best mark in La Liga—often rescuing his team in crucial moments. Joan single-handedly hauled Espanyol to 14th place, saving the club from relegation.

• Goals prevented

García conceded seven goals fewer than expected according to PSxG—best in La Liga and eighth among all goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues.

• High save percentage

74% save rate—third-best in the league. On average, García made 3.84 saves per match.

• Penalty-stopping ability

During the season, García saved two out of six penalties, and in every case correctly guessed the direction of the shot.

Strengths

• Physical attributes and reflexes

García boasts long limbs and stands at 191 cm. His lightning-fast reflexes are particularly outstanding: his body reacts to shots almost instantly, allowing him to make miraculous saves in seemingly hopeless situations.

• Commanding on crosses and interceptions

He reads aerial balls well and is confident coming off his line, reducing threats from set pieces and wide deliveries.

• Footwork

García is precise with both short and medium-range passes, able to initiate attacks through midfield, and isn't afraid to draw opponents into a press before playing a risky ball. His short passing accuracy exceeds 90%.

• Long passes and throws

Although Espanyol rarely built from the back, García was reliable with long balls (232 successful long passes over the season) and powerful throws, which could become a new weapon for Barcelona's counter-attacks.

• Leadership and mentality

García is a hardworking, disciplined player—first to arrive and last to leave training. His commitment and hunger to improve have been praised by coaches, including Espanyol legend Thomas N'Kono.

• Rapid adaptation and progress

Despite a late debut at senior level, he went from backup to one of La Liga's top keepers in just a single season.

• Catalan roots

García is a product of Catalan football, which should ease his integration at Barcelona.

Weaknesses and potential risks

Statistical platforms (such as WhoScored) don't list any glaring weaknesses for García. However, despite his excellent short and medium-range distribution, his long passes can still lack consistency in accuracy.

One key risk is psychological pressure. Moving to Barcelona is a massive step forward but also a huge challenge. He'll face fierce competition from Marc-André ter Stegen, one of the world's best with his feet and reading of the game, not to mention a club legend. Any mistake from García will immediately spark criticism and comparisons with ter Stegen.

Prospects at Barcelona

García is an ideal fit for the club's philosophy—a young Catalan capable of quickly blending into the squad.

If he manages to adapt swiftly, he could become Barcelona's number one goalkeeper for the next decade. Otherwise, he risks being overshadowed by ter Stegen or sent out on loan for more playing time.

Joan García is a modern goalkeeper with outstanding shot-stopping ability, excellent footwork, composure under pressure, and clear leadership potential. His weaknesses are more like fine details—areas that can be refined with more experience.