Eric Garcia confirms Barcelona plan after Girona loan

Eric Garcia has confirmed that he will "100%" return to Barcelona when his Girona loan finishes at the end of this season.

Garcia started just 18 games in all competitions in 2022/23, highlighting his role as a back-up and squad rotation player. And with Barca recruiting Inigo Martinez on a free transfer last summer, the former Manchester City defender found himself farmed out in September.

He has thrived with the chance to play regularly, though. Garcia has been a key part of Girona's incredible season that looks set to end with historic Champions League qualification. There is no preset option for the deal to become permanent and the future will have to be assessed and there isn’t a guarantee that will translate to playing for Barca again.

"I have a contract, I have to return [to Barcelona] once the season ends," Garcia told RAC1.

"What is 100% certain is that I am returning to Barca. Then, once I am there, I will see what happens."

He added: "Competition makes everyone better and in the summer I did have a personal need to go out [on loan], to play every weekend, to be able to enjoy playing day in and day out again.

"Once I return to Barca, I know that there are centre-backs who are doing very well, but I am also doing well here. I know the football I have and I am showing who I am, no more no less."

Competition has only increased in Garcia's absence as Barca have seen 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi progress into the first team to become a regular starter. Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez and Andreas Christensen complete the centre-back stable.

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