Marbella FC begins pre-season on July 27 with barely six players on the roster. The club, newly promoted to Segunda Federación, is racing against time to strengthen all positions.
With the clock ticking and a nearly empty squad, Marbella FC will kick off pre-season training next week at the Luis Teruel Aguilar stadium. As of today, the club only has six players registered, a number far from the minimum required to face the season in Segunda Federación with confidence.
A race against time in the transfer market
The first announcement of the new project came on July 16 with the appointment of Antonio Calderón as coach. The experienced Cádiz-born manager has the task of completing the squad in record time. The sporting management is working tirelessly to secure signings before training begins, scheduled for next Saturday, July 27.
Calderón wants to surround himself with players he trusts, with whom he has worked before and who know the division. The goal is to have a minimum group of 14 or 15 players by July 27, according to club sources. To achieve this, Marbella is negotiating several deals simultaneously.
Two signings and two renewals confirmed
So far, Marbella has announced two new signings and two renewals. On the left side, Víctor Mena, 31, arrives from La Unión Atlético. The Andalusian defender brings experience from Primera and Segunda Federación and comes to fill the gap left by Álex Martínez, who has signed with Atlético Central, a direct rival this season.
On the right side, the club has signed Lanchi, a 25-year-old defender from Cádiz who has previously played in Segunda División with Villarreal B and spent last season at Alcorcón and in Mexican football with Venados. His versatility and youth are added value for the team.
In terms of renewals, Marbella has secured the continuity of Marcos Olguin and Ernest Ohemeng, two players well-loved by fans for their efforts in the promotion. Olguin is recovering from a long-term injury, while Ohemeng is looking to regain his best form in the division.
Additionally, the club retains Tahiru Awudu and Tomi Guzmán under contract. The former, of Ghanaian origin, will be evaluated over the summer due to knee issues; the latter is considered a great prospect from the youth academy.
The transfer market: full-backs, centre-back, and goalkeeper
Antonio Calderón is closely monitoring several players from Torremolinos, a club he has recently worked with. Among the names being mentioned is the Galician centre-back Juan Rodríguez, who played for Marbella in the second half of last season. Negotiations are advanced, but the player has other offers on the table.
In goal, the sporting management is considering several options but has yet to make a decision. One candidate is Javier Rabanillo, a former player of Real Jaén, although the club has not yet taken action. Another name resurfacing is Samu Casado, a Granada goalkeeper who was sought after last summer and has become available after his time at Algeciras. Marbella is not in a hurry to decide, but the position needs to be filled soon.
A pre-season with youth players and trials
To compensate for the lack of players, the club plans to include youth players in the initial training sessions, as well as trialists. The idea is for these young talents to prove their worth and, if necessary, complete the squad during the first weeks of competition.
Marbella needs at least six more signings to have a competitive group at the start of the league. The fans, who have already shown their support on social media, hope the management meets the deadlines and that the team is ready for a demanding season ahead.
Meanwhile, the club continues to work quietly. New signings are expected to be announced in the coming days, particularly in the centre of defence and midfield. Next week, with the whistle marking the start of pre-season, Marbella will have to show that, despite starting with the bare minimum, ambition is not lacking.
You may also like
