Marc Andre ter-Stegen has signed a five-year deal at Barcelona with a staggering €180 million release clause.
La Liga giants FC Barcelona announced on Monday, via their official website that goalkeeper Marc Andre ter-Stegen has signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2022.
The club also announced that there has been a buyout clause worth a staggering €180 million included in the player’s contract. By agreeing to this astronomical release clause, the Germany international has made his intentions clear of staying on at the Camp Nou for many years to come.
Ter Stegen moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2014 after the club had parted ways with two goalkeepers in Victor Valdes and Jose Manuel Pinto. The former moved to Manchester United while the termination of the latter’s contract saw him call it a day from football.
The German keeper moved to Barcelona from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach for a paltry €12 million. His buyout clause then was set at €80 million – less than half of what it is now.
However, he wasn’t first choice that season as Claudio Bravo started in goal in the league while ter Stegen was handed responsibilities in the Copa del Rey as well as the Champions League – where he rose to the occasion and staked a claim for the number one role at Camp Nou.
In the following season as well he wasn’t manager Luis Enrique’s first preferred goalkeeper, and managed to tally just six league appearances throughout the campaign. However, with Bravo’s move in the summer, ter Stegen has finally begun to play every week.
He has featured in all but two of Barcelona’s 38 league games this season and has managed to keep 13 clean sheets – which helped the Catalan Giants finish just three points off eventual champions Real Madrid. The 25-year-old also made an impressive 2.83 saves per 90 minutes.
The German has also won loads of silverware in Spain with his honours comprising of two league titles, three Copa del Rey triumphs, one Champions League, one Club World Cup, one Spanish Super Cup and one European Super Cup.
Thus, the news of the player signing an extension must have come has a huge relief to the Barcelona faithful. Ter Stegen was being linked with Premier League giants Manchester City as former Barca boss Pep Guardiola wanted to add to his resources at the Etihad Stadium.
However, the Citizens have turned their attention to Benfica goalkeeper Ederson, who is expected to officially sign for them on Tuesday. The Brazilian is reportedly set to arrive in Manchester after agreeing personal terms and is subject to a medical.
