Former Manchester City player, Eric Garcia, recently reflected on his journey with the Premier League club, calling the experience “a dream.” Garcia, now 23, initially joined City’s youth academy in 2017 after leaving La Masia, FC Barcelona’s renowned youth setup. He quickly made a name for himself, captaining Manchester City’s under-18 team and taking part in the UEFA Youth League with the under-19s.
Eric Garcia Opens Up About His Transition from City’s Youth Academy to the First Team
In 2018, Garcia transitioned to Manchester City’s first-team squad, marking his debut in an EFL Cup quarter-final against Leicester City. The following year, he made his Premier League debut in an impressive 8-0 victory over Watford. His role with the senior team expanded over the 2019 Christmas and New Year period, during which he played two full matches. By June 2020, Garcia earned a starting spot alongside Aymeric Laporte in a game against Arsenal.
Despite his growing presence in the first team, Garcia opted not to extend his contract with Manchester City, fueling speculation about his return to Barcelona. In a recent interview with the Spanish outlet Sport, which was translated and shared by Sport Witness, Garcia reminisced about his four-year journey at Manchester City. He mentioned arriving at the club at age 16 and described the progression from the reserve team to the first team as surreal. “The experience I gained there was everything,” Garcia remarked, emphasizing how young he was during his time at the club.
Barcelona acquired Garcia on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, securing his signature with a staggering €400 million release clause as part of his five-year deal. However, his time at Barcelona, under manager Xavi, proved challenging. As a result, the club loaned Garcia to Girona, another team within the City Football Group, for the 2023/24 season. While with Girona, he scored his first goal in a 2–1 away win against Villarreal.
Through all these changes, Garcia’s story stands as a testament to the fluidity and unpredictability of a professional footballer’s career, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with playing at the highest levels of the sport.
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