FC Barcelona has officially extended Wojciech Szczęsny's contract until June 30, 2027. The announcement, made on Monday, July 7, 2025, secures the Polish goalkeeper's future with the La Liga champions for another two seasons. This decision comes after Szczęsny's impressive performance following his unexpected arrival at the club.
Szczęsny, who had initially retired from football, was signed by Barcelona in October to fill in for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who suffered a ruptured patella tendon. The 35-year-old goalkeeper quickly proved his worth, becoming a key player in Barcelona's La Liga and Copa del Rey victories. His outstanding form led to him taking over the starting position from Iñaki Peña in January and maintaining an unbeaten run in 15 La Liga starts, contributing significantly to the team's success. In his 30 appearances for Barcelona in the 2024-25 season, Szczęsny managed 14 clean sheets.
Barcelona lauded Szczęsny's commitment, acknowledging that his continued presence is a reward for his stellar season. The club emphasized that Szczęsny stepped up when needed most, proving himself as one of Europe's top goalkeepers despite coming out of retirement.
However, Szczęsny's contract extension has raised questions about the future of Barcelona's long-time goalkeeper and captain, Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The German international, who earns a significant salary, only returned to the squad in the final weeks of the season. With Barcelona's well-publicized financial difficulties, reports suggest the club may be looking to reduce their wage bill, placing Ter Stegen's future in doubt.
Adding to the uncertainty is the recent signing of goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol for 26.34 million euros on a six-year deal. With Szczęsny's extension, Garcia's arrival, and Iñaki Peña already on the books, Barcelona now have four goalkeepers, making Peña's departure seem highly probable. The future of Ter Stegen remains uncertain, with the club potentially considering a sale to alleviate financial pressures.