Wojciech Szczesny will become the latest man to grace the goalposts for Barcelona as his move to the Catalan giants on a one-year deal has been confirmed.
The former Arsenal stopper announced his retirement from football in late August aged 34 claiming his heart is not in it and that he wanted to focus on his family.
But a season-ending knee injury to first choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen saw Barca come calling and Szczesny has now stepped out of retirement 36 days after entering its bliss.
Ter Stegen was stretchered off the pitch against Villarreal in September after tearing his patellar tendon – which connects the kneecap to the shinbone – in his right knee. He was later pictured in a wheelchair at the hospital.
‘I’m very proud to be a Barcelona player,’ Szczesny said in a short video. ‘Visca el Barca (long live Barca!)’ And rightly so, at the moment – Barcelona are top of LaLiga with seven wins out of eight and thumped BSC Young Boys 5-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Wojciech Szczesny has signed for Barcelona 36 days after retiring as emergency cover for Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The 34-year-old posted a message for supporters as he linked up with the Catalan giants
Barcelona’s No 1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen has suffered a season-ending injury
Ter Stegen had to be carried off on a stretcher after suffering a knee injury in September
Polish custodian Szczesny retired after his contract at Juventus was mutually terminated.
He lifted three Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia trophies with the Turin giants after playing for Brentford, Arsenal, and Roma. With Arsenal he twice won the FA Cup.
Szczesny also accumulated 84 caps for Poland in an international career spanning from 2009 to 2024, playing at four European Championships and two World Cups.
Barcelona’s options to bring in a replacement were limited after a previous ruling decided clubs would no longer be able to sign a player from another club, as they did in the case of Martin Braithwaite from Leganes in 2020.
Szczesny was amongst a shortlist of names to step into the void between the posts at the LaLiga and Champions League competitors, as well as former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 37.
The club are allowed to pay him up to 80 per cent of Ter Stegen’s £7.5millon salary.
In his retirement announcement in August, he wrote on Instagram: ‘I left Warsaw, my hometown in June of 2006 to join Arsenal with one dream – to make a living out of football.
‘Little did I know it would be a start of a journey of a lifetime. Little did I know that I would get to play for the biggest clubs in the world and represent my country 84 times. Little did I know that not only would I make a living out of the game but the game would become my whole life.
Ex-Arsenal and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny announced his retirement in August
Szczesny played 181 times for Arsenal before making a permanent move to Juventus in 2017
Szczesny was part of two FA Cup winning teams at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger
Szczesny won three league titles at Juventus and was Serie A goalkeeper of the year in 2020
‘I didn’t just realise my dreams, I’ve arrived where my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me. I played the game at the highest level with the best players in history without ever feeling inferior.
‘I’ve made friends for life, created unforgettable memories and met people who have made an incredible impact on my life. Everything that I have and everything that I am I owe to the beautiful game of football…
‘But I also gave the game all I had. I gave the game 18 years of my life, everyday, without excuses. Today, tough my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.
‘I feel that right now it is time to give all of my attention to my family – my amazing wife Marina and our two beautiful children Liam and Noelia.
‘Therefore, I have decided to retire from professional football.
‘A journey’s end is a time for reflection and gratitude. There’s a lot of people that I would have to thank in this spot but I will try to that personally with each one of them. But to you – the fans I owe a special thank you for being on this journey with me.
For the support and criticism, for the love and hate, for being the most beautiful and romantic part of football. Without you none of this would make any sense! Thank you!
‘Now, every story has an end but in life every ending is a new beginning. What this new path will bring for me only the time will tell. But if the last 18 years have taught me anything it is that nothing is impossible and believe me, I’m going to dream BIG!’
