Barcelona given green light on Joan Garcia registration as La Liga approves Marc-Andre ter Stegen injury report

Barcelona announced that league officials have confirmed Ter Stegen’s injury meets the long-term criteria, allowing the club to register new signing Garcia in his place. According to Mundo Deportivo, doctors from La Liga’s medical commission visited the club’s training ground to assess the goalkeeper's injury five days after the report was submitted, despite the usual protocol of conducting such checks within 48 hours.

"Barcelona hereby announces that LaLiga’s Medical Committee has ruled that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury meets the long-term injury criteria established by current regulations," a statement from the club read. "The club will proceed tomorrow to immediately formalise the registration of player Joan García."

Barcelona’s failure to meet La Liga’s financial regulations initially blocked Garcia’s registration. When Ter Stegen suffered a pre-season injury that would sideline him for four months, the club sought to register Garcia as his replacement. However, Ter Stegen’s insistence he would only be out for three months and his refusal to authorise his medical report sparked a public feud, resulting in him being stripped of the captaincy temporarily. This left Barcelona in a goalkeeping crisis, with Inaki Pena as the only registered keeper and Hansi Flick blocking his sale to Como. After reaching a compromise with Ter Stegen, Barcelona have now been cleared to register Garcia in time for this week's La Liga opener

Barcelona are also struggling to register Marcus Rashford, who joined on loan from Manchester United. Club president Joan Laporta admitted the forward might not be cleared in time for the league opener.