Ter Stegen arrives at Barça, Pinto leaves, and Deulofeu and Rafinha Alcantára return from loan spells

Barcelona (FCB).- Barça has announced the signing of the keeper from Borussia Mönchengladbach, Marc-André Ter Stegen, and the departure of José Manuel Pinto after six and a half years of service to the team. In addition, youngsters Gerard Deulofeu and Rafinha Alcantára will be returning to the Club after a year out on loan at Everton and Celta Vigo respectively. The Catalan winger and the Brazilian born midfielder both came up through the Masia and they have put in impressive performances on loan this year. Ter Stegen is one of the new signings for the 2014/15 Barça squad, announced by Football Director Andoni Zubizarreta and FC Barcelona's Board of Directors. On top of this, they also confirmed that José Manuel Pinto will no longer defend Barça’s goal now that his contract has expired.

Pinto leaves after six and a half years

“The Board of Directors want to publicly thank the professionalism and dedication of José Manuel Pinto throughout his time at the club”, stated FC Barcelona in a press release. The Catalan club thanked the keeper for his six and a half years of service as a Blaugrana. Pinto arrived in January of 2008 as Albert Jorquera’s replacement. He played a total of 73 games and won 16 titles (4 Ligas, 2 Champions Leagues, 2 Copas del Rey, 2 European Super Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cups and 2 Club World Cups).

Ter Stegen comes from the Borussia Mönchengladbach

Born in Mönchengladbach on April 30, 1992, Marc-André Ter Stegen is considered to be one of the keepers with the highest potential in European football. He made his first team debut with Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2011, at the age of 18, and since then he’s consolidated his starting keeper status with the first team. He was crucial to his team in the last three seasons and in the 2011/12 season he was named best keeper of the Bundesliga.

Standing 189 centimetres tall, he dominates areal play and is known for his natural ability and quick reflexes. Despite his young age, he’s a player with a lot of personality and experience thanks to his three years in the Bundesliga and with the German national team. After a long career in Germany’s youth teams, in May of 2012 he made his debut with the national team against Switzerland.

108 in the Bundesliga

His performances, in which he demonstrated an aptitude in goal and on-the-ball precision, made him crucial in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s fantastic season. His team finished sixth and qualified for the Europea League. Ter Stegen featured in 34 league games, conceded 43 goals and made 138 saves.

Deulofeu and Rafinha come back after season-long loans

Gerard Deulofeu played a total of 29 games for Everton this season, starting eleven matches for the Toffees, who ended up in fifth place in the Premier. The Catalan played an increasingly key role in Roberto Martinez’s side, despite suffering an untimely  thigh injury just before Christmas, which obliged him to return to Barcelona for treatment.

19-year-old Rafinha played 32 games in La Liga for Celta Vigo under the orders of Luis Enrique , 27 of them as a starter, and scored four goals in his 2.435 minutes played. Celta finished the season in eighth position.