Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen has signed a season-long loan deal with Ajax as the 34-year-old seeks to reignite his international career under new Germany coach Jürgen Klopp.
Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has joined Ajax on loan from Barcelona on a season-long deal, the Dutch club announced on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The 34-year-old arrives in Amsterdam with a point to prove, having been left out of Germany's most recent World Cup squad this summer.
Ter Stegen's move reunites him with Ajax's new coach Míchel Sánchez. Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff welcomed the signing, saying: 'Marc has an outstanding track record, and his qualities are widely recognised.'
The German stopper had a difficult 12th season at Barcelona and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Catalan neighbours Girona from January onwards. He last represented Germany in June 2025 at the Nations League final four mini-tournament, and has earned 44 caps in total.
Despite serving as understudy to Manuel Neuer across three successive World Cups — including Germany's 2014 title triumph — Ter Stegen was not selected for a fourth World Cup this summer. Germany were eliminated in the round of 32, losing to Paraguay.
Ter Stegen is the second Germany international to link up with Ajax in quick succession. Julian Brandt signed a three-year contract with the Amsterdam club last week as a free agent following the expiry of his Borussia Dortmund deal.
Ajax are looking to bounce back after a chaotic season that saw them finish fifth in the Dutch Eredivisie. The club have already begun their campaign in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League and host Shelbourne on Friday in the first leg of their tie.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.