Ajax have secured the season‑long loan of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The agreement, confirmed by both clubs, carries no option for Ajax to buy him in summer 2028, allowing the 34‑year‑old German to keep his options open while the clubs share a portion of his wages. Negotiated by sporting directors Johan Cruyff (Ajax) and Deco (Barcelona), the deal was driven by Ajax coach Míchel, who had previously brought the player on loan at Girona. After a brief spell at Girona, Ter Stegen suffered an injury that stalled his appearances and forced him back to Barça for recovery. Sources say he is now fully fit and eager to prove himself in the Eredivisie following a disappointing absence from the World Cup squad due to injury.

Ajax needed a goalkeeper after Vítězslav Jaroš returned to Liverpool and Maarten Paes finished the campaign as the number‑one. Ter Stegen, who joined Barça from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014, has 20 trophies to his name, including seven La Liga titles and a Champions League. He has made only 10 appearances since Hansi Flick’s arrival in 2024, plagued by a knee and back injury.