Official: Barcelona defender Eric Garcia joins Girona on loan

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has completed a season-long loan move to Catalan rivals Girona, the club have officially confirmed.

“FC Barcelona and Girona FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Eric Garcia until June 30, 2024. There is no purchase option,” the statement from the club read.

The 22-year-old had fallen down the pecking order at the club this season, with Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and new signing Inigo Martinez all seemingly ahead of him.

As such, Garcia decided it would be in his best interests to move on loan to a team where he can play regularly and accumulate game-time under his belt.

Manager Xavi Hernandez wanted the Spanish international to stay put as he did not wish to weaken the depth of the squad any further.

However, the player’s insistence on wanting to play regularly eventually led to the former Manchester City starlet’s move to Girona.

The operation is a simple, straight loan deal with no buy option inserted in the agreement, while Barça will be covering just 20% of his salary for this season.

Garcia now joins another Barcelona youngster, Pablo Torre, who also signed for Girona on loan earlier this summer.

The centre-back will be hoping to play regularly for Michel’s side which would hold him in good stead when he returns to Barcelona next year.