Ajax have been given the loan of Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Barcelona for the 2026-27 season, as they seek an answer to their injury problem.
The Germany international will be ensconced in the Eredivisie giants for the rest of the season and it is reportedly that Ajax has no chance of making the step up to a permanent signing next summer.
Ter Stegen looking to revive career
Ter Stegen has missed 10 games for all competitions as a result of a number of injuries since the start of the 2024-25 campaign. In September 2024, he tore his patellar tendon and played in the remainder of the season.
He was also not always in the first choice of goalkeepers for Barcelona as Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny were not always available. He then signed for Girona on loan in January, but ended up getting hurt in his back in his second game.
Ter Stegen, who has joined Ajax alongside Michel, is looking to contribute to the development of the Dutch side to improve from the lacklustre 2025-26 season.
Ter Stegen wants to help Ajax
Ter Stegen added that he would like to contribute to the Ajax team reaching the standard they’re known for.
We have to get this club back where it belongs, this historic club, a club with a lot of power, not only in the Netherlands but also on the big stage,” Ter Stegen said.
He said he was excited about making an impact during his loan period.
Impressive Barcelona record
Ter Stegen had been transferred from Borussia Monchengladbach to Barcelona in 2014 and has featured 423 times for the Catalan side. In his time at Barcelona has kept 175 shutouts and allowed 418 goals.
His injury woes also meant he didn’t get a call up to the World Cup team for Germany this summer.
Ajax prepare for new season
Ajax last season were fifth in the Eredivisie, but enjoyed one of the best defensive performances in the league. Twente conceded less than Ajax’s 42 goals, and Ajax’s 11 clean sheets were in partnership with Twente as the league-leading clubs.
The Dutch side have already won their first Conference League qualifier, against FK Vojvodina, on a 2-8 aggregate basis. They will play Shelbourne before embarking on their league campaign against PEC Zwolle on Sunday.
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