FC Barcelona have a new goalkeeper in Joan Garcia who last season was key in helping city rivals Espanyol beat relegation from the first division.  

The man from Sallent in Catalonia becomes the ninth goalkeeper to represent Barça and Espanyol. Furthermore, he is the sixth to arrive directly from the blaugranes’ city rivals. The list contains some illustrious names such as Ricardo Zamora (Espanyol 1916-1919, Barça 1919-1922) and Francisco Javier González Urruticoechea ‘Urruti’ (Espanyol 1977-1981, Barça 1981-1988.  

Also on the list are Romà Salvà who came to Barça in 1905, Lluís Bru who arrived in 1913 and Ramon Bruguera who signed in 1920. Now, the sixth name on the list is Joan Garcia.  

Other goalkeepers who have represented both club during their careers are Cristòfol Solà (Espanyol 1926-1929, Barça 1930), Josep Valero (Barça 1943-1947, Espanyol 1949-1950) and Oier Olazábal (Barça 2013-2014, Espanyol 2020-2022). 

42nd player  

In total, including outfield players, prior to Joan Garcia’s arrival, 41 players have left Esanyol to sign for Barça. Most did so last century such as Josep Escolà (1934), Miquel Soler (1988) and former Barça and Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde (1988).  

Since the turn of the century only one player has signed directly from Espanyol before Joan Garcia, the striker Jonatan Soriano. At Espanyol between 2006 and 2009, Soriano joined a Barça Atlètic side in 2009 coached by Luis Enrique.  

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