Courtesy: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona and Eric Garcia have agreed for the player to join the club on 1st July when his contract with Manchester City expires. The player will sign a deal through the end of the 2025/26 season, with a 400 million euro buyout clause. Eric Garcia, a 20-year-old midfielder, has returned to FC Barcelona. The defender joined the Barça Academy in 2008 and continued his development at La Masia until 2017, when he moved to Manchester City, where he spent four seasons playing at the U-19, U-23, and first-team levels.
He is a defender who is well-suited to Barça’s style of play and has a bright future ahead of him. Garcia grew up admiring Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, and Javier Mascherano as role models and was captain at every level throughout his tenure at La Masia.
He began his career in Manchester with the U-19 squad, but his talent drew the attention of the main team, and he made his debut for Manchester City at the age of 17 in a Carabao Cup game against Leicester City in December 2018. Later following season, Garcia went on to participate in both legs of the same competition’s semi-final against Burton Albion.
The 2020/21 season was a letdown for the 20-year-old, who was a long way down the pecking order for centre-backs, resulting in only 12 appearances for Manchester City. Garcia’s stock has not suffered as a result, and he is now likely to join Barcelona this summer.
Garcia commented on his decision to leave Manchester City as a free agent to join Barcelona by saying,
“I have thought about my future, what I think is the best now. I think it’s a brave decision. I am very convinced of the step I have taken.”
The pursuit of Garcia makes sense for Barcelona, given that Gerard Pique is nearing the end of his brilliant career. As a result, Garcia, along with Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza, could be part of the veteran defender’s succession plan. The Blaugrana are also rumoured to be looking for a second centre-back, with Inigo Martinez among those being connected.
Home is where the heart is. pic.twitter.com/FQRV2L4n4R
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 1, 2021