Ander Astralaga leaves Barcelona after eight years in La Masia

Ander Astralaga has confirmed his departure from FC Barcelona after eight years in the club’s youth system and reserve team. The goalkeeper, who was part of several first-team training sessions and call-ups, will leave when his contract expires in the coming days. Five Barça Atlètic players—Víctor Barberá, Joaquín Delgado, Óscar Urena, Emilio Bernadó, and Astralaga—are set to depart as their contracts conclude.

Astralaga took to social media earlier today to share a farewell message, reflecting on his journey from arriving in Catalonia as a child in 2018 to leaving as a professional footballer. “I arrived in Barcelona eight years ago as a child, with the illusion that one day this could become my profession,” he wrote. “Today I leave with memories that that child would never have imagined living.”

He highlighted the privilege of sharing the dressing room with some of the best players in the world across all levels of the club. “Growing up in La Masia, wearing the shirt of this very special club and sharing the locker room with some of the best players in the world has been a real privilege,” Astralaga added.

The goalkeeper reserved his deepest gratitude for the relationships he built during his time at the club. “Above all, I take people. Teammates, coaches, club workers, and friends with whom I have grown up, who have made these years an unforgettable stage,” he said. “The friendships that this path leaves me are, without a doubt, the most valuable gift I take.”

Astralaga was first called up to Barcelona’s first team in the 2022-23 season, earning two matchday squads. In the 2023-24 campaign, he travelled with the first team for 38 matches, and in the 2024-25 season, he was part of the squad in 26 games under Hansi Flick, though he never made his official debut.