Germany goalkeeper Ter Stegen joins Ajax on loan from Barcelona, aiming to catch Klopp's eye

Updated - August 08, 2026 10:26 pm IST Publication date: 2026-08-08 16:56:14 AP

Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has joined Ajax on loan from Barcelona, as he seeks to revive his national-team career under new coach Jürgen Klopp.

The 34-year-old signed a season-long deal on Tuesday (August 4, 2026), reuniting him with Ajax's new head coach Míchel Sánchez, the club confirmed.

Ter Stegen endured a complicated 12th season with Barcelona and was loaned to Catalonian neighbor Girona in January.

After serving as understudy to Manuel Neuer in three consecutive World Cups — including Germany's title-winning campaign in 2014 — Ter Stegen was not selected for a fourth World Cup this summer. Germany exited in the round of 32 against Paraguay.

He played his last international match in June 2025, earning his 44th cap for Germany during the Nations League final four mini-tournament.

"Marc has an outstanding track record, and his qualities are widely recognised," Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff said in a statement.

Ter Stegen is the second Germany international to join Ajax this summer, as the Amsterdam club looks to rebound from a chaotic season that ended in fifth place in the Dutch Eredivisie.

• Julian Brandt signed a three-year deal as a free agent last week, following the expiration of his Borussia Dortmund contract.
• Ajax has already begun its campaign in the qualifying rounds of the third-tier Conference League.
• The club hosts Shelbourne on Friday in the first leg of their qualifying tie.