Ter Stegen Reveals Details of His Departure from Barcelona

German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has closed a long chapter with Barcelona, opening a new phase in his career by joining Ajax Amsterdam on loan, following a summer of complex negotiations that lasted for weeks.

In his first media appearance for the Dutch club, the veteran goalkeeper discussed the reasons that led him to take this step, and the crucial role Frenkie de Jong played in convincing him to agree to the move.

The 34-year-old hopes to regain his starting spot and return to regular competition after Barcelona and Ajax reached an agreement for his loan, thus ending a period of uncertainty surrounding his future during the transfer market.

Marc-André ter Stegen confirmed that the negotiations were not easy, noting that all parties needed sufficient time to reach a formula that satisfied everyone, including Barcelona, Ajax, and the player himself.

The German goalkeeper stated: "Negotiations take time because each party has its own interests. The two clubs had to reach an agreement, and I also had to make my decision. Sometimes such matters take longer, but the most important thing in the end is that it concluded as desired. I am grateful for the efforts made by both Barcelona and Ajax."

He added that he handled the negotiations with calm and confidence, praising the cooperation shown by both clubs until a final agreement was reached that serves all parties.

Marc-André ter Stegen revealed that his former Barcelona teammate, Frenkie de Jong, was one of the main reasons that encouraged him to accept Ajax's offer, after reaching out to him and sharing insights about the atmosphere at the Dutch club.

The German goalkeeper explained: "I also spoke with Frenkie de Jong. He was very excited about the club and follows all its matches. He has suffered in recent years due to poor results. Now, I have, to some extent, the ability to contribute to changing this situation."

Marc-André ter Stegen also pointed out that Jordi Cruyff had a significant impact in convincing him about Ajax's project, affirming that their conversation strengthened his desire to embark on this new experience.

The international goalkeeper has reassured Ajax fans regarding his physical condition, confirming his complete recovery from the hamstring injury that affected his participation at the end of last season.

He stated: "I am in good physical condition. I started training on July 2 to complete my recovery from a hamstring injury, so I can be ready to return as soon as possible. I recently played a friendly match with Barcelona, and I feel that I have regained my level."

Marc-André ter Stegen hopes that his experience with Ajax will represent a new beginning that brings him back to his best form, and that he can regain his place among the elite goalkeepers in Europe after a difficult period at Barcelona.