FC Barcelona has announced that veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will remain with the club until June 2027, following the signing of a two-year contract extension.
The new deal, confirmed on Monday, came shortly after his previous agreement expired at the end of June. The extension reflected the club’s confidence in the 35-year-old goalkeeper and recognized his vital role within the team.
Szczesny’s rise to prominence at Camp Nou was marked by resilience and a return to the sport under unexpected circumstances. Having previously played for clubs like Arsenal, Juventus, and Roma, Szczesny had stepped away from professional football.
However, early last season, FC Barcelona called him back into action following a serious injury to their first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The injury, which involved a torn cruciate ligament, left Iñaki Peña as the only available senior goalkeeper. Szczesny agreed to rejoin the squad, a decision that ultimately benefited both him and the club.
Although it took time for him to regain full match fitness, Szczesny made an immediate impact after his debut. His first appearance came during the Copa del Rey third-round fixture against Barbastro on January 4.
From that moment, he quickly secured his position as the team’s primary goalkeeper, bringing experience and stability to the back line. Over the course of the season, Szczesny made 30 appearances, amassing 2,726 minutes on the field.
His consistent form was instrumental in Barcelona’s success, contributing significantly to their La Liga and Copa del Rey double.
The contract renewal came amid notable shifts in Barcelona’s goalkeeping department. The club had recently activated the release clause of Joan Garcia, a young and talented goalkeeper from Espanyol, signaling a focus on future prospects.
Meanwhile, Marc-Andre ter Stegen had completed his rehabilitation and was expected to return fully fit for the new season.
Despite these developments, Barcelona saw value in retaining Szczesny. The club viewed his experience, dependability, and composure under pressure as assets crucial to maintaining strength in a key position.
Szczesny’s presence was also expected to provide mentorship and healthy competition within the squad, reinforcing the club’s strategic planning as they prepared for both domestic and European challenges in the upcoming seasons.