Dominik Livakovic Signs for Barcelona Through 2030 from Fenerbahce

Two days of medical tests, plenty of discretion and, this Thursday, the official photo. Dominik Livakovic is now a Barcelona player. The Croatian goalkeeper has signed through 2030 and arrives from Turkey's Fenerbahce in exchange for 2 million euros guaranteed plus another 2 million in variables. It's a deal that had been in the works for days and one the club closed out without any last-minute drama.

Having his signature on the contract, though, doesn't mean his immediate future is settled. And that's where this signing gets interesting.

Two paths, one decision still pending

The club and the player still have to decide what happens with Livakovic this very season. There are two scenarios on the table: he stays in Barcelona as part of the squad, or he goes out on loan to keep getting minutes as a starter. If it's the latter, the most likely destination would be a return to Dinamo Zagreb, the club where he was on loan last season and where he felt at home.

The logic behind this open question has a name: Joan Garcia is the undisputed starting goalkeeper, and that's not up for debate. What is in motion is the future of Wojciech Szczesny, whose contract expires next summer. Livakovic is here for exactly that reason: to be the natural successor to the Pole once that cycle wraps up, with enough experience to make the transition seamless.

A keeper with World Cups on his resume

Livakovic is far from an unknown. A full international for Croatia, he built most of his career in his home league, where he won the title as many as 8 times split between NK Zagreb and Dinamo Zagreb, racking up more than 400 appearances across both clubs. In 2023 he made the jump to Turkey to play for Fenerbahce, where he made 74 appearances.

Last season he had a brief stint in Spanish soccer: he joined Girona on loan for the first half of the campaign, though he never actually made his debut. In January he decided to move on and returned to Dinamo Zagreb, a move made with a very specific goal in mind: arriving at the 2026 World Cup sharp and with a starting job secured. It wouldn't be the first time Livakovic shines at a World Cup: he was already a key figure in Croatia's historic third-place finish in Qatar 2022.

The fifth reinforcement of a busy summer

With this addition, Barcelona brings its tally to five signings this transfer window. Before him came Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, and last week Joao Cancelo and Rodri touched down in the city, with Rodri possibly getting the chance to debut this Thursday at Camp Nou and experience his first minutes in the blue and red jersey.

Also worth adding to that list is Belgian winger Jesse Bisiwu, a young forward who turned heads during preseason with the first team, where he scored twice against Basel. Despite that strong showing, the club's short-term plan is focused on development: Bisiwu is already training with Barca Atletic, the reserve side coached by Juliano Belletti.