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.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 got off to an electric start as Palmeiras and FC Porto played out a high-quality 0–0 draw in their Group A opener. Despite the lack of goals, the match was packed with pace, flair, and near-misses that left fans entertained and both sides still hungry for a first win.

Palmeiras, representing South America, looked the more threatening side, dominating possession with 55% and firing off 17 attempts on goal. Yet they were continually frustrated by the sharp reflexes of Porto’s goalkeeper Claudio Ramos, who turned away multiple efforts with a string of acrobatic saves.

The standout performer of the night was Palmeiras’ 18-year-old sensation Estêvão. The teenage prodigy dazzled on the right wing, creating several dangerous moments and coming agonizingly close to scoring twice—once with a curling effort from range and another with a missed tap-in that had fans holding their breath.

FC Porto, not to be overshadowed, held their own with disciplined defending and quick transitions. Nigerian striker Samu Aghehowa looked lively in the attack, and midfielder Alan Varela helped maintain balance under pressure. Brazilian youngster Vitor Roque also showed flashes of brilliance for Palmeiras but couldn’t break the deadlock.

Both sides lined up in aggressive 3–4–3 formations, indicating their intent from the start. The tactical chess match saw Palmeiras throw on reinforcements late—introducing López, Piquerez, Allan, and Paulinho in hopes of snatching a win. Porto responded with structured defensive resolve and occasional counters, but the scoreboard remained unchanged.

The draw leaves Group A wide open, with both teams taking a point apiece. With Al Ahly and Inter Miami also competing in the group, the race for knockout qualification is now set to intensify.

Palmeiras will next face African champions Al Ahly, while FC Porto prepare for a showdown with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami—a fixture already attracting global attention.

While the goals didn’t come, the drama, quality, and youthful promise on display—especially from Estêvão—made it a memorable opener. If this match is anything to go by, the 2025 Club World Cup promises fireworks.