News Archive

Latest transfers

The transfer train is chugging along nicely, even though the big knock-on contracts following the signings of Cristian Ronaldo and Kaká have yet to take place. Real Madrid appear to have given up the fight for David Villa for now and have signed Valencia's Raúl Albiol instead, although the Ches are still reportedly keen on the Villa move, if only to get their hands on Negredo in part-exchange. Meanwhile Barcelona are now apparently thinking of a move for Villa themselves.

The news this week though was more about who will be leaving La Liga, with Saviola, Arango, Nihat, Mati Fernández and Polanski all announcing moves out of Spain. Some at least will be missed! Meanwhile the last of the first division managerial moves took place, with Racing Santander pinching Hércules coach Mandía. The Alicante based side moved to tie up out-of-work ex Real Sociedad boss Lillo, and there was a surprise return for old favourite Sergio Kresic, who will be starting his second spell at Las Palmas. (28.06.09)

Player (Country) Current club New club Position/Comments
Raúl Albiol Valencia Real Madrid DF Gave up on David Villa for now, but have paid out €15 Mio to bring Spanish defender to Madrid. Signs 5 year deal.
Sergio Asenjo Valladolid Atlético Madrid GK Deal still not confirmed, but could settle next week for €5.5 Mio plus Diego Costa and one other.
Negredo Almería Real Madrid FW Reportedly paying €5 Mio fee to get him back, but may well sell him on again.
Moyà Mallorca Valencia GK Have agreed €5 Mio deal for keeper. Renan may move on to make room.
Saviola (ARG) Real Madrid Benfica (POR) FW Had to move on to make room! Portuguese side paid €5 Mio for him, and signs 3 year deal.
Nihat (TKY) Villarreal Besiktas (TKY) FW Turkish club say they have agreed deal to bring him home. Reported fee of around €4 Mio, and will sign for 3 years.
Bruno Almería Valencia DF Had agreed to move to Betis, but relegation means he will rejoin Emery on three year deal.
Munúa (URU) Deportivo Málaga GK Keeper with fighting qualities (?) moves on free transfer after 7 years at Depor.
Juan Pablo Numancia Sporting Gijón GK Have tied up keeper on three year contract. Eduardo moves from Huesca to replace him.
Ben Sahar (ISR / POL) Chelsea / De Graafschap Espanyol FW Have signed young striker for €1 Mio on 4 year deal, getting ahead of several clubs to tie him up.
Arango (VEN) Mallorca Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER) MF Second best all time goal scorer leaves club for €3.6 Mio to raise cash to meet debts.
Mati Fernández (CHL) Villarreal Sporting Lisbon (POR) MF Has not really triumphed in Spain and has agreed to try his luck across the peninsular. No terms revealed of deal to date though.
Mandía Hércules Racing Santander MG Have poached young coach to replace Muñiz, although have to pay €400K contract settlement.
Oliva Castellón Villarreal GK Nicked experienced keeper away from neighbours even though he had just signed new contract.
Cabrera (URU) Defensor (URU) Atlético Madrid DF Under 20 full back signed, paying €1.5 Mio for 50% rights. Could move out on loan in first year?
Polanski (GER) Getafe Mainz 05 (GER) MF Returns home after Michel decided he could move on.
Angulo (COL) Leixoes (POR) Deportivo DF Not the Valencia one! Left back moves on loan from investment group with buy out option as cover for Filipe, who is expected to leave.
David Fuster Elche Villarreal MF Paid €500k to buy him back from Elche after good season.
Mtiliga (DEN) NAC Breda (HOL) Málaga DF Left back joins on free transfer after 3 years in Holland to replace Calleja.
Nauzet Las Palmas Valladolid MF Makes a move after six years playing for his local team. Was out of contract and turned down renewal.
Miguel Atlético Madrid Sporting Gijón MF Has hardly played in 3 years at Atleti, and moves on 4 year deal to Gijón.
Sergio Kresic (CRO) Numancia Las Palmas MG Talks of signing Luis César and others, but in the end veteran coach Kresic returns to Canary Isles.
Lucas Alcaraz Recreativo Córdoba MG Ex Recre coach signs two year contract, sixth Andalusian club of his career.
Casas Athletic Bilbao / Córdoba Cartagena DF Left back moves to newly promoted side on free transfer after year out on loan.
Gregory (FRA) Vitoria Guimaraes (POR) Sporting Gijón DF Have a bit of money to spend on transfers at last, and have signed central defender on 3 year contract.
Diego León Barnsley (ENG) Las Palmas MF Ey up chuck! Ex Spanish youth international returns to Spain after spell in Yorkshire club.
Lillo Real Sociedad Hércules MG Real coach will be replacing Mandía after leaving Basque side this summer.
Rubén Navarro Hércules Nàstic FW Have signed ex Alavés experienced striker on two year deal.