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Inaki Pena, Barcelona goalkeeper has signed a contract extension. The new deal will keep him at the club until 2026, the club confirmed.
The previous deal with the Spaniard was going to close at the conclusion of the current campaign. There has been a verbal agreement on a renewal for quite some time.
Inaki Pena, a La Masia product, spent many years in Barcelona’s first team but has yet to make an impact.
After falling behind ter Stegen and Neto in the pecking order, the backup goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Galatasaray.
When Pena returned to Camp Nou last summer, he was promoted to second-choice keeper. Pena got the wonderful chance after Neto left for Bournemouth.
Earlier this season, the Spanish goalkeeper made his first-team debut in a Champions League group stage match against Viktoria Plzen.
The new agreement also includes a €400 million release clause.
Pena is a standout player among his peers in the youth ranks. Because of the similarities in their playing styles, Ter Stegen’s replacement is expected to be Pena.
Ter Stegen has rediscovered his form this season, re-establishing himself as one of Europe’s best keepers.
The German goalkeeper has a league-high 25 clean sheets, one short of tying the record for most clean sheets in a single La Liga season.
Ter Stegen’s stature will make things difficult for Pena, who appears to be content to bide his time and wait for his chance.
Arnau Tenas, Barcelona’s third choice goalkeeper, is another talented goalkeeper in their ranks.
Tenas’ contract with Barca Atletic expires this summer, but the club plans to exercise his two-year extension option.
