New Delhi: With the transfer market having officially opened on July 1, this past week was a busy one in LaLiga. Several Spanish clubs completed signings, while there were other major headlines too, as discussed below.
FC Barcelona win the race to sign Gundogan
İlkay Gundogan is coming to LaLiga, with FC Barcelona having won the hotly contested race to sign the German midfielder. Given that Gundogan just captained Manchester City to a treble, he is one of the most impactful players in the world right now and will play for the Blaugrana for at least the next two seasons.
Francisco is the new coach of Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano announced this past week that their new head coach will be Francisco, the former boss of UD Almeria, SD Huesca and Elche CF. He has managed 112 top-flight games across his stints with those three clubs and brings that experience to the Vallecas dugout, taking over from Andoni Iraola.
Pedrosa will continue his comeback with Sevilla FC
Adria Pedrosa endured a very tough 2022/23, as he missed most of the season with injury and then suffered relegation with RCD Espanyol as he eased back in to competitive action. Now, the left-back will be able to enjoy a fresh start at a new club, having been signed by Sevilla FC. When fit and in form, Pedrosa is one of the best attacking left-backs in the competition, so this transfer could be a masterstroke.
Getafe CF complete the signing of Choco Lozano
Choco Lozano has joined Getafe CF on a three-year contract, after leaving Cádiz CF as a free agent. The Honduran striker has previously played for Girona FC and Cadiz CF in Spain’s top flight and arrives at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez to help cover for Enes Unal, who’ll miss the start of 2023/24 with a long-term injury.
Guardiola and Marti are staying at Cadiz CF
Two of the key players in leading Cadiz CF to survival last season were the January signings Sergi Guardiola and Roger Marti. So impressive were the two forwards that Los Amarillos have signed them to permanent contracts, triggering a purchase option in Guardiola’s loan deal and offering Roger Martí a new three-year extension.
RC Celta and Carles Perez are sticking together
Another loan deal that was converted into a permanent transfer this week was that of Carles Perez. After the Spaniard played in Vigo on loan from Roma last season, RC Celta have agreed a deal for him to remain in Galicia and work with new coach Rafa Benitez.
Luka Modric is staying at Real Madrid and will be vice-captain
In addition to transfers, there were also some contract renewals over the past seven days. The most high-profile of all the renewals was, without doubt, that of former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, who has agreed a one-year extension to stay at Real Madrid, where he will be vice-captain of the club, only behind Nacho.
Atletico de Madrid will change the club badge
Following a referendum for members, with 77,690 participating, Atletico de Madrid announced that they will change the club badge in the summer of 2024, returning to a previous design that was loved by the fans. “In response to this majority vote of our members, as of July 1st, 2024, the previous badge will once again be the official one of our club,” the institution announced.
Sadiq could be ready for the start of the season
There was good news at Real Sociedad this week, as striker Umar Sadiq was able to work out on the pitch as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury that he suffered last September, in what was just his second appearance for La Real. The Nigerian, who was signed from UD Almeria in the summer 2022 transfer market, is confident about his comeback and believes he is “better prepared than ever before” to contribute for the Basque side, perhaps even from the opening weekend of the new campaign.
The 2023/24 calendar for the second division is drawn
The 22 teams that make up the second tier of Spanish football found out their schedules this past week, and there are several big fixtures to look forward to. That includes the derbies of the second division, such as Real Oviedo vs Real Sporting in Matchday 5, on the weekend of September 10, or Real Zaragoza vs SD Huesca in Matchday 16, on the weekend of November 19.
–IANS