Joan Garcia opens up on Barcelona move and registration delay – ‘When I signed, I knew what was coming’

Barcelona’s summer signing Joan Garcia has spoken candidly in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, sharing his thoughts on joining the club, the registration process, and the reactions from Espanyol fans. 

The 24-year-old goalkeeper completed his switch from Espanyol, but his registration with La Liga has been delayed due to financial rules.

When asked what he thinks of Barcelona now that he is inside the club, Garcia replied: “It’s a great club, with the qualities that great clubs have. The truth is, I’m feeling very comfortable and very happy.”

Despite the uncertainty over his registration, Garcia explained he remained calm. “I haven’t suffered. In the end, when I signed, I already knew what was coming. 

“I was and am ready to face it, and I’m calm. I’ve been calm all this time, and I still am. That’s what they tell me: calm, that everything will be fine, and I have faith in them.”

Dealing with rivalry and reaction from Espanyol fans

Coming from Espanyol, Garcia admitted the move carried extra weight. “I never had any doubts about my future or my sporting side. 

“Obviously, coming from Espanyol, there are a few more doubts, but I didn’t have any on the sporting side,” he said.

Joan Garcia spoke about his decision to join Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Addressing Espanyol supporters, he added: “I understand them, I understand a little of the pain they may have felt, the disappointment. 

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about them, that I hadn’t had some difficult days thinking about them. But in the end, it was the decision I had to make for myself, for my family, and for my future.”

Garcia also revealed that Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, played a key role in convincing him: “Above all, the project there is, the team there, so young, with so much quality. 

“And they made me feel they truly loved me. They made a significant financial commitment that many teams probably wouldn’t have made.”

Focus on the future with Barcelona

Looking ahead to a return to Cornelle-el Prat, Garcia expects a challenging reception: “Yes, I guess so. You have to understand all opinions, all thoughts, and I’m willing to do that. 

“I’ll go there to play my game, try to do my best, and that’s it.”

He also shared what Hansi Flick expects from him: “Well, above all, I hope to continue like last season, when he told me I was very good, that I played some great matches. And also, I hope to help in any way I can.”

Garcia concluded by clarifying that he avoided discussions about his next move with his Espanyol teammates. 

“We were in a very complicated situation, and we were 100% focused on saving the team… Everyone has their thoughts, their opinions on everything, but in the end, I’m the one who has to decide, and that’s how it was.”