FC Barcelona activated the release clause of player Joan Garcia. The cost of the clause was 25 million euros plus CPI.

This Friday, the player will sign a contract with the club for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2031, in a private ceremony at FC Barcelona’s offices.

Goalkeeper, thanks to his brother

Born in Sallent de Llobregat, in the Bages region of Catalonia, the new Barça goalkeeper, like many others, didn’t start out between the posts. However, it wasn’t long before he followed in the footsteps of his older brother and picked up the gloves. That was the beginning of his path toward the elite. After leaving Sallent, he moved to Manresa and then to Damm, until Espanyol signed him at the age of 15.

Olympic champion

During his time at Espanyol, he became a regular in Spain’s youth national teams from the U17 to the U21 level, and he has an Olympic gold medal from the 2024 Games in Paris. Although he has yet to receive a call-up to the senior national team, that debut seems imminent, and it will come as a Barça player.

Best in the league

With Espanyol, he made his first-team debut at the end of 2021, but it wasn’t until the 2023/24 season that he established himself as the starting goalkeeper, helping the team earn promotion back to the top flight. He has just completed a fantastic campaign in La Liga, playing a key role in Espanyol’s survival. In numbers, he was the goalkeeper with the most saves in the league (146), and according to advanced statistics, the one who prevented the most goals in the entire competition.

Present and future

His outstanding performances, combined with his exceptional potential at just 24 years old, has made him a target for many top clubs around the world, Barça included. Deco has secured the signing of a goalkeeper who offers immediate reliability and an even brighter future.

fcbarcelona.com

The Premier League is Back! Full 2025/26 Fixture List Unveiled with Thrilling Opening Weekend

The long wait is over—football fans can officially start counting down the days as the Premier League has released its full fixture list for the 2025/26 season. With 380 matches scheduled between August and May, this season promises drama, rivalries, and unmissable showdowns right from the start.

The season will kick off on Friday, August 15, 2025, with Liverpool welcoming Bournemouth to Anfield under the lights in the first match of the campaign. The excitement continues through the weekend, with Manchester United hosting Arsenal on Sunday, August 17—a blockbuster clash to headline the opening round.

Other standout fixtures from the first weekend include:

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge Aston Villa vs Newcastle United Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley Leeds United vs Everton (as Leeds return to the top flight) Sunderland vs West Ham United, marking Sunderland’s return to Premier League action

The season is set to feature 33 weekend rounds and five midweek fixtures. The league has also made scheduling changes to reduce fixture congestion over the festive period, with no matches on Christmas Eve (December 24) and a commitment to avoid teams playing within 60 hours of one another across the Christmas and New Year period. Boxing Day fixtures have been replaced by a full round on December 27.

Fans can also look forward to the return of fierce rivalries and derbies:

The North-East Derby between Newcastle and Sunderland returns in early October. The Manchester Derby will take place in January. The Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton is scheduled for April.

The final round of matches will be played on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with all ten games kicking off simultaneously to ensure a thrilling conclusion to the title race, European qualification, and relegation battles.

This season’s fixtures were officially released at 9:00 BST on Wednesday, June 18, setting the stage for another unforgettable year in England’s top flight.

Stay tuned for weekly updates, match previews, and all the latest from the Premier League right here on our blog.

Ghanaian businessman and brother of President Mahama, Ibrahim Mahama has presented a brand-new Toyota Fortuner and an undisclosed financial package to legendary Ghanaian boxer, Azumah Nelson, in recognition of his contributions to the sport and national development.

The presentation took place on Monday, June 16, at Mr Mahama’s office in Accra, following a courtesy call led by Sharaf Mahama—CEO of Legacy Rise Sports and son of President John Dramani Mahama—and British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua.

READ ALSO: Ibrahim Mahama Fully Funds Life-Saving Surgery for Toddler with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

The delegation had earlier participated in the Battle of the Beasts boxing event held at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Friday, June 13, before visiting President Mahama at Jubilee House and subsequently calling on Mr Mahama to express appreciation for his support.

Mr Mahama described Azumah Nelson as “arguably Africa’s greatest boxer” and noted that the gesture aimed to honour both Nelson’s outstanding achievements in the ring and his ongoing efforts in mentoring youth and promoting sports development in Ghana.

Azumah Nelson expressed his appreciation for the honour. “I am grateful to Ibrahim Mahama and Sharaf Mahama for this unexpected gesture,” he said.

“I was simply here to support Sharaf and his commitment to boxing, a sport I have dedicated my life to.”

Present at the event were members of Anthony Joshua’s team, sports entrepreneur Yaw Sakyi Afari of RITE Sports, businessman Henry Quarshie, as well as associates of Legacy Rise Sports and close friends of Ibrahim Mahama.

Ibrahim Mahama, founder of Engineers and Planners and Dzata Cement Limited, is known for his philanthropic initiatives in education, sports, and infrastructure development. The donation aligns with his broader commitment to supporting national icons and uplifting sports in Ghana.

The Battle of the Beasts boxing event, which drew significant public and international interest, was part of a broader effort to elevate the profile of Ghanaian boxing and celebrate its heritage through high-level sporting engagement.

myjoyonline.com