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FC Barcelona have officially loaned promising young goalkeeper Ander Astralaga to Granada CF for the 2025–26 season. The move, aimed at accelerating Astralaga’s development, comes after the club extended his contract to protect their long-term investment.
📋 Deal Structure
The loan to Granada was finalized earlier this week, with Astralaga expected to undergo his medical and join pre-season training shortly.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loan Duration | 1 season (2025–26) |
| Contract Renewal | Extended with Barça until 2027 |
| Loan Club | Granada CF (La Liga 2) |
Barcelona ensured his contract was extended before the loan to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2026, a situation that would have arisen at the end of his original deal.
🧠 Why the Loan Makes Sense
With the arrival of Joan García and the continued presence of Marc-André ter Stegen (for now), opportunities for Astralaga in the senior team were expected to be limited.
Rather than keep him in Barça Atlètic, who are now relegated to the fourth tier, the club opted to send Astralaga to a more competitive environment in Segunda División with Granada.
“This loan is not a goodbye. It’s a test,” said one Barça youth development source.
🧱 Barcelona’s Goalkeeping Strategy
Barcelona are currently restructuring their entire goalkeeping department:
- Ter Stegen’s future remains uncertain Read more
- Joan García is expected to be the new No. 1
- Jakub Kiwior and Diego Kochen remain in the mix for the 3rd-choice spot
By loaning Astralaga out, the club gives itself more time to evaluate its long-term options while allowing the 21-year-old to gain valuable match experience at a professional level.
🌟 Who Is Ander Astralaga?
- Age: 21
- Nationality: Spanish
- Height: 1.88m
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Known For: Shot-stopping reflexes, quick feet, and leadership in the box
- 2024–25 Performance: 29 appearances with Barça Atlètic, 9 clean sheets
He’s been a regular for Spain’s U21 team and is considered one of La Masia’s most consistent academy products in recent years.
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✅ Conclusion
Ander Astralaga’s loan to Granada is a calculated move by Barcelona — one that allows a rising talent to grow without blocking his development behind more senior options. All eyes will be on him in the Segunda División as Barça monitors his progress closely.
[…] development will be closely monitored by Barcelona, much like how they are following Ander Astralaga’s loan to Granada as part of a wider youth management […]