Villarreal sign Rubén Peña from Eibar

Villarreal have signed Rubén Peña from Eibar. He’s a 27 year-old right back, native of Avila, who has played for Leganés in the Segunda and then Eibar in the Primera. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed but he signed a five-year deal with us (his Eibar contract expired in 2024 also, so that makes sense).

He did have a muscle injury and then a knee injury late in the season, but other than that he was their regular right back. I don’t know how much faith you can put in these things, but Whoscored had him rated higher last season than anyone in our squad except Santi and Vicente Iborra.

Peña is a much different right back than Mario. Super Mario likes to tackle, is competitive in aerial duels, but does not cross the ball well. Peña is not good in the air, but likes to go forward, is an excellent dribbler and crosser of the ball.

Looks like Mario is going to be moving on, then; makes no sense to bring in a RB just a year younger with a different profile.

I’m going to eat breakfast now, if the Alberto Moreno signing doesn’t get announced first :)