Hansi Flick has confirmed Barcelona have agreed to loan Marc-Andre ter Stegen to neighbours Girona, with the goalkeeper keen for regular minutes in a World Cup year.

Ter Stegen lost his place as the Blaugrana's first-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Joan Garcia from Espanyol last June, 11 years after joining from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 33-year-old missed the majority of 2024-25 after rupturing his patellar tendon in September 2024, with Wojciech Szczesny coming out of retirement to fill in for him. 

Barca were open to letting Ter Stegen leave at the start of this season and temporarily stripped him of the club captaincy after he refused to share his medical data with LaLiga following a back procedure.

Ter Stegen's only appearance this season was in a 2-0 Copa del Rey victory over Guadalajara in December, with Garcia keeping nine clean sheets in 20 outings and Szczesny also starting nine times between the sticks.

Ter Stegen started for Germany in the Nations League semi-finals and third-place play-off last June, but Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann was an ever-present during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

And a determination to re-establish his place in Julian Nagelsmann's plans ahead of the World Cup has led Ter Stegen to seek a move to Girona, who currently sit 11th in LaLiga.

"This morning, Marc told us that he was going to Girona," Flick told reporters. "He's a fantastic goalkeeper, but we've decided on a different future. 

"I think it's the right decision, I wish him the best. He is a brilliant person. He has a good chance of reaching the World Cup."

Barca visit Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, and with the Catalan giants sitting 15th in the 36-team standings, only a victory will give them a realistic chance of automatic qualification for the top eight.

"This is the Champions League and there is always pressure to win," Flick said.

"Slavia are a team that defend very well, that press very high. We have had time to prepare for this match and we want to win the two games we have left. We want the six points.

"We have a lot of potential, and we have to work hard. In every game we try to work on things. We have very young players and they all have the potential to reach a higher level."

The Blaugrana will be without Lamine Yamal in Czechia due to suspension, but left-back Alejandro Balde is confident they can cope without him, saying: "Lamine is a player of great quality, he is one of the best players in the world. 

"It's always good to have him, but we can't depend on any one player. Whoever plays in his position will do so perfectly."