Marc-André ter Stegen joins Ajax on season-long loan from Barcelona to revive Germany career under Jürgen Klopp

Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen joined Ajax on loan from Barcelona in Amsterdam on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, aiming to revive his national-team career under new Germany coach Jürgen Klopp. The 34-year-old signed a season-long deal that reunites him with Ajax's new coach Míchel Sánchez.

Ter Stegen endured a complicated 12th season with Barcelona and moved to Catalonian neighbour Girona on loan in January. He spent three straight World Cups as understudy to Manuel Neuer, including being part of the 2014 title-winning squad. Ter Stegen was not selected for a fourth World Cup this summer as Germany went out in the round of 32 against Paraguay. He played the last of his 44 games for Germany in June 2025 at 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 the Amsterdam club. Ajax are seeking to rebound from a chaotic season that ended in fifth place in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Julian Brandt last week signed a three-year deal as a free agent after his Borussia Dortmund contract expired. Ajax have already started in the qualifying rounds of the third-tier Conference League.

Ajax will host Shelbourne on Friday in a first-leg game. The match is part of the qualifying rounds of the third-tier Conference League.