Shaky transfer! Pepelu moves to city rival a year after signing a 10-year contract

It’s hard to compare to what Spanish midfielder Pepelu did a few days ago. A year after signing a ten-year contract at Levante, he moved to the city rival. He will now wear the Valencia jersey.

Pepelu joined Levante’s academy in the summer of 2012 from Dénia. Sensing that he was ready for big football, the club sent him on loan to Heracles at the age of 18 and then to two Portuguese clubs.

From the 2021/22 season he was already kicking in the A-team, he was the first choice as a defensive midfielder, with occasional offensive instructions. He wasn’t afraid to overplay his hand, picking up nine yellow cards, but he didn’t prevent the club’s relegation from La Liga.

As it happens after relegation from the first league, there was interest in Levante players. The talented Pepelu was no exception, but the club convinced him to stay. They even extended his contract for another ten years, until 2032.

The unprecedentedly long contract caused a stir all over the world, all the more so because it was a second division club. The club enjoyed the official presentation. He had the players pose with the jersey, which had an infinity symbol instead of a number.

As expected, Levante fought for a quick return to the elite, but failed to do so, even though it was in the game until the last round. In the end, they finished third, only a score behind second-placed Las Palmas. And Pepelu knew he didn’t want to play a second season in the lower competition.

But few expected him to leave for his biggest rival. Valencia shelled out five million euros for the 24-year-old Spaniard and signed him until 2028.

The Bats may have a name after a successful past in European Cups, but they will not improve Pele significantly. Valencia too struggled to save themselves in the Spanish top flight last season and seemingly have nothing else in store for them this year.

Sources: La Liga, Transfermarkt