Barcelona have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Emilio Bernad, who will join Barça Atlètic on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old from Castellon arrives after ending his contract with CD Teruel and brings with him solid experience across Spain’s lower divisions.
He has signed a deal with Barcelona’s reserve side until June 30, 2026.
According to the information provided by the club, Bernad will begin training with his new teammates on Wednesday as the youth team prepares for their opening league clash at home against UE Porreres this coming Sunday.
The club sees him as a valuable addition to strengthen the squad and offer maturity to a young group of players developing in the reserves.
Experience and stability between the posts
Bernad is not new to competitive football. Over the course of his career, he has built up considerable experience in several divisions.
His record includes 28 matches in the Primera Federación, 33 in the Segunda Federación, and 25 appearances in the former Segunda B.
On top of that, he has played one game in the Copa del Rey, one in Segunda División A, and three in the UEFA Youth League. This diverse background makes him a reliable figure between the posts.
At Barça Atletic, Bernad will share responsibilities in goal with Diego Kochen, who is also linked to the first team and may often be unavailable due to senior squad duties.
Alongside Kochen, Eder Aller and Eldar Taghizada will also compete for minutes, while younger goalkeepers from the academy continue their development.
The signing of Bernad is seen as a smart move by Barcelona, ensuring that the reserve team has an experienced and steady presence in goal.
His arrival not only boosts competition for the goalkeeper spot but also provides guidance and confidence to the younger players around him.