Several more transfers were completed by LaLiga Santander clubs this past week, as well as a significant contract renewal at Real Sociedad.
There were also more pre-season fixtures for Spanish teams, including a meeting between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Las Vegas. All of these storylines and more are discussed in greater detail below.
FC Barcelona win ElClasico in Las Vegas
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid met in a pre-season ElClasico in Las Vegas this past weekend, with Barça winning the contest 1-0 thanks to a stunning top-corner strike from summer arrival Raphinha. More than 60,000 fans packed into the home stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders to take in the match.
Robin Le Normand commits his future to Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad and Robin Le Normand have agreed a contract extension, with the centre-back putting pen to paper on a deal that’ll run until 2026. This is great news for the Basque club, as Le Normand has been one of the best defenders of LaLiga Santander for some time and even won the October Player of the Month award last season.
Kubo makes the move to Real Sociedad
There was another piece of astute business at Real Sociedad this week, as they secured the signing of Japan international Takefusa Kubo from Real Madrid. The 21-year-old winger has previously played at RCD Mallorca, Villarreal CF and Getafe CF and is now ready for another challenge in LaLiga Santander.
Muriqi is staying at RCD Mallorca
In just a few months, Vedat Muriqi became a fan favourite at RCD Mallorca while on loan at the island club during the second half of last season. He scored four goals that helped keep the club in LaLiga Santander, even winning the May Player of the Month award. Now, RCD Mallorca have acquired the striker on a permanent transfer from Lazio, with Muriqi signing a contract until 2027.
Carlos Clerc moves across the Valencian Community
Carlos Clerc has completed a transfer across the Valencian Community, moving from Levante UD to Elche CF. As such, the talented left-back is staying in LaLiga Santander and will reinforce Los Franjiverdes’ defence.
UD Almería win the race for Kaiky
Several top clubs across Europe were trying to sign 18-year-old centre-back Kaiky, one of the top young talents in Brazilian football, and it’s UD Almería who have won the race. The newly promoted LaLiga Santander club reached an agreement to sign him from Santos, with the defender putting pen to paper on a contract until 2028.
RCD Mallorca make progress on their stadium redevelopment
There is an ambitious project taking place in Mallorca right now, as RCD Mallorca are redeveloping their stadium. The work at the Visit Mallorca Estadi is on schedule and all the deadlines so far have been met, meaning the ground is on track to host RCD Mallorca vs Real Betis in Matchday 2 of the new LaLiga Santander season.
A new era for Atlético de Madrid’s stadium
Atlético de Madrid announced the new name of their stadium this week, revealing that it’ll now be called the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, after having been called the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano over the previous five years. The club also presented its ‘Ciudad del Deporte’ development plan, that’ll transform the area around the ground to include more sports facilities and a hotel.
Conclusion of the LaLiga x Bloomsbury Football League Finals
Over the past few weeks, a tournament has been held for youngsters in London called the LaLiga X Bloomsbury Football League Finals. The various teams of local schoolkids represented different LaLiga sides and it was the team wearing CA Osasuna shirts that won the competition.
A LaLiga space is inaugurated in the Rafa Nadal Museum
There is an exciting new development at the Rafa Nadal Museum in Mallorca, as a LaLiga exhibition has been installed, containing club jerseys, interactive screens, trophies and more. The tennis superstar is a big fan of Spanish football and his uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, even played for RCD Mallorca and FC Barcelona.