Wojciech Szczesny’s Contract Extension with FC Barcelona
Wojciech Szczesny has secured a contract extension with FC Barcelona, extending his stay at the club until the summer of 2027. The 35-year-old Polish goalkeeper initially joined Barcelona as a free agent in October 2024 during a period marked by Marc-André ter Stegen’s long-term injury, which opened the door for Szczesny. He quickly established himself as the primary goalkeeper, surpassing La Masia’s youth product, Iñaki Peña, in the starting lineup.
Barcelona’s Goalkeeping Situation
On June 2, reports surfaced that Barcelona had offered Szczesny a two-year extension amid interest in acquiring Joan Garcia from Espanyol. The club ultimately secured Garcia’s services by activating his €25 million release clause, having been a consistent presence for Espanyol last season as they battled in the lower half of La Liga.
The arrival of Garcia casts uncertainty over ter Stegen’s future at Barcelona, as the club would reportedly entertain a departure for the German captain this summer. Ter Stegen, 33, faced a challenging season after suffering a knee injury, which led to a complete absence from the pitch in 2024. During his recovery, Peña filled the goalkeeping duties, starting as the number one for the team. However, Szczesny took over the role decisively after the winter break, making 30 appearances and becoming the go-to option for both La Liga and Champions League competitions during the 2025 season.
Szczesny’s Comeback and International Career
Despite announcing his retirement from professional football at the beginning of the 2024-25 season following the end of his contract with Juventus, Szczesny made a remarkable comeback only two months later after being approached by Barcelona. In his international career, Szczesny has represented Poland 84 times, featuring in two matches during Euro 2024 and marking his participation in his seventh major international tournament.
Career Highlights
Szczesny’s journey in football began after joining Arsenal from Legia Warsaw at the age of 16 in 2006, where he amassed 181 appearances and won two FA Cups. His career also included fruitful loan spells at AS Roma before his permanent transfer to Juventus in 2017. At Juventus, he made 252 appearances, securing eight major trophies, including three Serie A titles. Despite his solid performance last season with 35 appearances in Serie A, the signing of Michele Di Gregorio from Monza signaled the end of his tenure at the club. Now, Szczesny aims to establish himself further in Barcelona’s ambitious project as they look to regain their stature in European football.