Marc ter Stegen has settled into life at Ajax after arriving on a season-long loan from FC Barcelona last summer following a year plagued by injury, fcupdate.nl reported.
“De spelersgroep is echt fantastisch en we zijn momenteel bezig om onze doelen te bereiken,” Ter Stegen told BILD regarding his first months in Amsterdam.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper debuted with a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against PEC Zwolle on August 9, immediately claiming the number 1 shirt. Ajax currently sits in third place in the Eredivisie with 25 points from their opening twelve matches.
German trio and Amsterdam life
Ter Stegen forms a recognizable German contingent at the Johan Cruijff ArenA alongside Julian Brandt and Thilo Kehrer, fcupdate.nl noted. Brandt joined on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund with a contract running to mid-2029, while Kehrer arrived temporarily from AS Monaco.
“Ik heb het gevoel dat de mensen heel blij zijn dat wij hier nu met z’n drieën spelen,” Ter Stegen said to BILD. “Zowel Jule als Thilo en ik hebben veel internationale ervaring. Dat is goed voor het team.”
Away from the pitch, the goalkeeper has traded the electric scooter he used in Barcelona for a standard city bicycle. After a near miss, he adopted a helmet, telling fcupdate.nl: “Onlangs heb ik een fietsongeluk zien gebeuren dat niet goed afliep. Sindsdien draag ik een helm, ook vanwege mijn voorbeeldfunctie.”
Ter Stegen also highlighted the discretion of local residents compared to Spain. “Nederlanders zijn wat dat betreft heel terughoudend,” he told fcupdate.nl, noting that fans rarely request photographs on the street and that his blonde hair makes him stand out less in Amsterdam than it did in Barcelona.
Ter Stegen vindt inspiratie bij Edwin van der Sar
While Ter Stegen initially idolized Oliver Kahn during his youth, his style evolved through observing Ajax icon Edwin van der Sar. “Van der Sar was qua speelstijl juist het tegenovergestelde,” he told fcupdate.nl, recalling how he tried to replicate the Dutchman’s trademark dropkick as a teenager. “Hij heeft als doelman ontzendend veel ervaring opgedaan en is een levende legende.”
Colleague Maarten Paes subsequently proposed a dinner gathering involving the three goalkeepers, a suggestion Ter Stegen welcomed warmly, fcupdate.nl reported.
Strong form in Amsterdam has also returned Ter Stegen to the Germany national team under manager Jürgen Klopp. “Het voelt ongelofelijk goed om zoveel vertrouwen te krijgen van de bondscoach,” Ter Stegen told Voetbal International. “Als ik fit ben, ben ik een aanwinst voor het team.” He added that Klopp’s preference for an active, ball-playing goalkeeper suits his own approach.
Uncertain future in Catalonia
Ter Stegen remains contracted to FC Barcelona until mid-2028, having made 423 appearances for the Spanish club before his last appearance in December 2025 and subsequent loan spells at Girona and Ajax, VoetbalPrimeur reported.
Although he maintains contact with several former teammates, he has spoken less frequently with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick recently, VoetbalPrimeur noted.
“Ik heb twaalf jaar in Barcelona gespeeld en doordoor natuurlijk een sterke band met die club opgebouwd,” Ter Stegen told fcupdate.nl regarding his long-term prospects. “Het is nu pas november, dus ik kan echt nog niet zeggen wat er komende zomer gaat gebeuren.”
On Monday, November 16, Ter Stegen was a candidate to feature in goal for Germany in their UEFA Nations League fixture against the Netherlands, Voetbal International reported.
Earlier coverage: Marc-André ter Stegen Interview: Germany's New Number One and Life at Ajax Amsterdam
