MADRID, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Wednesday confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to provide cover for the injured Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
The 34-year-old Polish international was in the stands for Barca's 5-0 win at home to Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday night and has agreed a contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, despite announcing his retirement from the professional game in the summer.
The former Arsenal, Roma and Juventus goalkeeper, will provide competition for Inaki Pena, who has played in the two matches since Ter Stegen's injury, with the inexperienced 20-year-old Ander Astralaga as backup.
Ter Stegen tore ligaments in his right knee in a recent La Liga game in Villarreal and although he has had a successful operation on his injury, he will be out of action until the end of the season.
The fact he has not been working with a club since announcing his retirement, means Szczesny will probably need three or four weeks to gain match fitness, but when he is available, Barca coach Hansi Flick will have a problem, because if Pena doesn't play now, it will look as if the club doesn't have confidence in him, while Szczesny hasn't come out of retirement to spend the season sitting on the subs' bench. ■
