BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 29: Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol looks on during the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid at RCDE Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Sections of the fanbase at La Liga outfit Espanyol have this week taken to the streets, to make clear their feelings with departing no.1 Joan García.
This, of course, comes as the goalkeeper prepares to put pen to paper on terms with the club’s arch rivals, Barcelona.
As confirmed by a host of sources across Spain and beyond, Joan has agreed on a contract all the way through the summer of 2030 at the Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana, in turn, are preparing to pay the 24-year-old’s Espanyol release clause, potentially as soon as next week.
🚨🔵🔴 Joan García will become new Barça player next week, plan confirmed.
Agreement done with the goalkeeper on five year deal, accepted last week + formal steps to follow.
Barça informed Joan that €25m release clause will be paid to Espanyol next week.
Here we go, soon 🏁 pic.twitter.com/FlmXhfHVY4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 4, 2025
And as alluded to above, the backlash against Joan has already begun…
Crossing the Barcelona divide is considered nothing short of a betrayal by those of an Espanyol persuasion, many of whom made clear over recent weeks that they would not forgive the club’s no.1 for such a decision.
In turn, such fans have on Wednesday kicked into gear a public campaign against Joan, taking to the streets to unveil graffiti messages featuring the words ‘rat’ and ‘traitor’:
🚨 Espanyol fans have begun targeting Joan Garcia. Numerous pieces of graffiti have surfaced across walls and traffic signs in his hometown of Sallent, Barcelona, where he is currently residing.
Messages include:
“Joan Garcia RAT”
“Traitor”
pic.twitter.com/aRjZPLSA2r
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) June 4, 2025