OFFICIAL: Barcelona confirm Szczesny's registration ahead of Rayo Vallecano trip

Barcelona head to Rayo Vallecano this weekend in their final La Liga game before the September international break.

Hansi Flick’s team have secured two wins from two games so far in 2025/26 but the trip to Vallecas will be a test.

Flick has already confirmed an injury blow with Gavi ruled out on the journey south and Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

Player registration issues have dominated the opening weeks of Flick’s second season in charge as last minute agreements were eventually signed off to allow Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford to feature in the opening win in Mallorca.

Garcia is now Flick’s No.1 but his deputy has been unclear with Marc-Andre ter Stegen sidelined following shoulder surgery.

The plan was for Polish veteran Wojciech Szczesny to step in, but his contract registration has been delayed until now, with the club confirming he can travel to Rayo.

The club have updated their official squad list, with Szczesny on course to start on the bench, with the 35-year-old the latest star to get his paperwork signed off.

Crucial final steps to get Szczesny on board were sealed by Inaki Pena’s season long loan move to Elche after agreeing a three-year contract extension at Barcelona.

Oriol Romeu has also agreed to terminate his contract a year early, which frees up more valuable salary space, as Barcelona chase their target of registering all relevant players.

Barcelona are believed to have signed off on Marc Bernal, who remains injured, with Marca reporting Roony Bardghji is now the only exception.

Bardghji has stated his determination to stay with Barcelona this season, after completing a summer move from FC Copenhagen, with rumours linking him to a loan.

Similarly to Rashford and Garcia, the Swedish U21 is relying on promises made before joining Barcelona, but the clock is ticking.