Inaki Pena pens emotional farewell following Barcelona exit: ‘Saying goodbye is always hard…’

Inaki Pena pens emotional farewell following Barcelona exit: ‘Saying goodbye is always hard…’ After 14 years wearing the colours of Barcelona, Inaki Pena has officially closed one chapter of his career and begun another. The 27-year-old goalkeeper has completed a move to Panathinaikos , which was announced by the club earlier today. The former La Masia trainee leaves the club in a deal worth €3 million after making a little over 40 first-team appearances. Pena bid farewell to Barcelona through an emotional message on social media, accompanied by a video featuring some of his most memorable moments in blue and red. For Pena, the departure marks the end of a journey that began in 2012, when he arrived at La Masia as a teenager full of dreams and uncertainty. Pena says goodbye In his farewell message, Pena reflected on everything he experienced during his years at the club. Inaki Pena has left Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) The goalkeeper highlighted how the institution helped him grow both professionally and personally, describing the responsibility of defending Barça’s goal as a source of immense pride. “I arrived at Barça in 2012, full of nerves, with a huge dream ahead of me, and without knowing everything I was about to experience here,” he began. “The first days at La Masia , new teammates, trips, those incredible nights… There were good days and others that taught you things quietly, but over time, this club became a very important part of my life. “Here I grew as a goalkeeper, but above all, as a person. Defending Barça’s goal has been an enormous responsibility and a great honour. Every time I had the chance, I tried to give my best, with respect for this shirt and for everything these colors represent.” He also paid tribute to everyone who had accompanied him along the way, from teammates and coaches to the many employees behind the scenes who contribute to the daily life of the club. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IÑAKI PEÑA (@inakipenya) “All these years I’ve shared incredible moments with teammates, coaches, club staff, and people who often go unseen, but who make everything work. I will always have a special place in my heart for all of them.” “Today I say goodbye to a place that has been my home for half my life. Saying goodbye is always hard, but I leave with so many memories, with everything I’ve learned, and with people who will always be with me,” he concluded. A New Challenge in Greece Pena spent 14 years under the Barcelona umbrella, progressing through the academy before becoming part of the first-team setup. Along the way, he gained experience through loan spells at Galatasaray and Elche, experiences that helped shape his development. Although opportunities in the first team were limited, he remained a valued member of the squad and was always regarded as a professional committed to the club. The move to Panathinaikos offers Pena something he has long sought: the chance to become a regular starter. The Alicante-born goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract that runs until 2029 and will have the opportunity to compete in the Conference League next season.