Angel Fortunho, goalkeeper at Espanyol revealed that. Joan Garcia signed for FC Barcelona without informing his Espanyol teammates. A move that reportedly blindsided the squad. Fortuño said the decision “caught many of us by surprise,” noting that while the team’s players recognized Garcia’s talent. They hadn’t known where he was headed. “He chose it… we never discussed Barça,” he added.เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา
Joan Garcia joined Barcelona in June 2025 after Barça activated his €25 million release clause. Signing him on a six‑year deal. He leaves Espanyol, the club whose academy produced him, without prior warning to many colleagues. His transfer is seen as strategic for Barcelona, who needed a top-tier goalkeeper following Marc‑André ter Stegen’s injury and they believed Garcia merited a long-term No. 1 role.
Espanyol’s reaction has been one of shock and betrayal. Fortuño, a Perico since childhood, emphasized his loyalty to Espanyol and made clear that he wouldn’t follow Garcia to Barça. Even humorously stating, “I’d rather go to Jupiter first”. The club’s management and some fans expressed dissatisfaction over how little notice was given internally before Barça’s announcement.
While the move is a career boost for Garcia, offering him a prominent role at one of Europe’s elite clubs. It has also inflamed tensions between Espanyol’s dressing room and the outflow of a homegrown talent to their cross-town rivals.