This year’s worst kept secret is finally out as German goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen has joined new manager Luis Enrique at the Nou Camp.
Enrique, now former manager of Celta Vigo, now has a ready replacement in ter Stegen to replace outgoing goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who is leaving after 12 years at the club.
Ter Stegen, who bid a tearful goodbye to the Borussia Park faithful in his last home game against Mainz, has been with his boyhood club of Moenchengladbach since the age of four, and has held the number one jersey since late into the 2010-11 season, and cannot be begrudged a move following ‘Gladbach’s failure to tie down Champions League football, unrealistic as that feat may have been. His mentor and current Die Fohlen manager Lucien Favre said “This sort of train only comes by once in a lifetime.”
The player’s dream is now been made a reality despite fears the move would not go ahead at all before Barca’s transfer ban was suspended, thus allowing the club to make additions.
Barcelona have not announced the transfer fee but the club have announced a five year deal for the player.
Meanwhile, Jose Manuel Pinto has been told his contract will not be renewed with the club.