The German needed regular playing time to remain Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup. At Barcelona, he had lost his place following the emergence of Joan Garcia and the club’s faith in Wojciech Szczesny.
With no other option, the former Barca captain had to leave the club, at least temporarily.
After weeks of negotiations, and despite Ter Stegen’s initial reluctance to join a team fighting to avoid relegation, the prospect of the major summer tournament ultimately convinced him to accept the loan move.
"Ter Stegen is seen as a modern, well-rounded goalkeeper with a great ability to adapt to different playing styles. He stands out for his excellent footwork, which is crucial for teams that like to build from the back, as well as his quick reflexes and composure in close-range situations.
"He also boasts strong positioning in the box, reliability in the air, and impressive tactical awareness, allowing him to anticipate opponents’ attacking moves. His personality and leadership are also valuable assets, helping to organise and instil confidence in the defensive line," his new club highlighted about the keeper.
Barca, meanwhile, recognised that Ter Stegen "guarded the Barca goal for 11 and a half seasons", making 423 appearances - the second-most for a goalkeeper in the club’s history, behind Víctor Valdes.
During his time at the club, he won six La Liga titles, six Copas del Rey, one Champions League title, five Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup.
However, Barca has not managed to offload his entire salary, as they will still be responsible for a large portion of it, which will only slightly reduce their wage bill for the remainder of the season.