Joan Garcia says goodbye to Espanyol as Barcelona transfer confirmed

Goalkeeper Garcia announced his exit from Espanyol before his transfer to local rivals Barcelona was confirmed. The 24-year-old's €24m release clause has been paid and the current La Liga champions announced his arrival on Wednesday, but he first took the time to explain why he is moving to Espanyol's bitter rivals.

Garcia is expected to become Barcelona's new starting goalie, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen likely to leave and Wojciech Szczesny staying as an experienced understudy.

In a video posted on Instagram, Garcia said: "The time has come to part ways. Today I have to say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15. During all this time, I have tried to grow every day as a footballer and as a person, always with humility, effort, and the pride of defending the RCD Espanyol goal.

"I have given everything I had inside to help the team, to represent this badge with the utmost dedication, and to live up to what it means to wear this shirt. I know this decision won't be easy for everyone to understand. I'm not asking you to do so. But I do want you to know that it has been a decision that has been thought through, thinking not only of my career but also of what’s best for the club, my family, and me."

Barcelona have now rubber-stamped the transfer, confirming the Spaniard has signed a six-year deal at Camp Nou.