Barcelona’s Eric Garcia agrees new contract through to 2031

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has agreed a new five-year contract extension through to 2031.

The Athletic reported  on December 2 Garcia, 24, was set to be rewarded for his form with a contract extension, which would be announced before the end of the year.

Barcelona confirmed the news on Friday, stating an agreement had been reached and the defender would officially sign the deal at an event on December 11.

Garcia’s previous deal with the Spanish champions had been due to expire in 2026.

A Barcelona statement read: “The decision is a show of faith in a player who was raised at La Masia and has set a wonderful example for youth players. His performances, maturity and commitment were all major factors in the extension of his bond to the club.”

Garcia has made 135 appearances for Barca and has played the most minutes in La Liga for Hansi Flick’s side this season, having been an important part of last term’s title-winning team.

He has made 20 appearances across all competitions this season, registering one goal and one assist as Barca top La Liga.

Garcia follows Frenkie de Jong in committing his future to the club, after the midfielder signed a new contract through to 2029 in October.

Garcia spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Girona, helping them to their first-ever qualification for the Champions League after finishing fourth in the league, but established himself in the squad following his return in the summer of 2024.

Traditionally a centre-back, Garcia has also been deployed as a holding midfielder in Barca’s 4-3-3 system and also as a right-back, replacing Jules Kounde in the position after the Frenchman picked up an injury in the closing stages of the 2024-25 campaign.

The defender spent four years at Manchester City, where he made 35 appearances and won the Premier League title in 2020-21, before rejoining Barca as a free agent in the summer of 2021.