Villarreal Team News Page 4 - Soccer

Alex Freeman - Assist from defense Freeman recorded one assist on one chance created in Friday's 4-1 win over Paraguay.

Impact Freeman would be the recipient of the last assist of the night, finding Giovanni Reyna in stoppage time for a beautiful goal to cap off the great night. Freeman also did well in the defense despite the USA not earning a clean sheet, notching one tackle won and two interceptions in the defense. He has now started in the opener, although he could see some rotation with Mark McKenzie moving forward.

JUNE 12 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Ruled out of World Cup opener Thomas Partey will play no part in Ghana's first World Cup game in Toronto after being denied entry to Canada, according to Dan Sheldon of The Athletic.

Impact Partey will be absent for Ghana's World Cup opener after his visa application was refused by the Canadian government, a significant blow that deprives the Black Stars of their most experienced midfielder. Elisha Owusu is among the candidates being considered as a possible replacement.

JUNE 12 • ROTOWIRE

Logan Costa - Anchor in back line Costa has been named in Cape Verde's World Cup squad and is expected to be the most technically accomplished defensive option available to coach Bubista throughout the competition.

Impact Costa ended an extremely difficutl La Liga campaign at Villarreal with only two appearances due to a long term ACL injury. That said, he remains one of the most reliable and technically complete center-backs in Spanish football at just 24 years old. The Villarreal center-back brings elite La Liga experience, composure on the ball and the aerial ability that makes him the defensive anchor of Cape Verde's back line, and his previous performances in one of the world's toughest leagues give the Blue Sharks a world-class option at the back. Costa heads into the World Cup as the most high-profile defensive figure in a squad making history for the island nation.

JUNE 11 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Box-to-box force for Lions Gueye has been named in Senegal's World Cup squad and is expected to start in midfield under coach Pape Thiaw, arriving at the tournament after an impressive season with Villarreal...

Impact Gueye contributed five goals and two assists alongside 24 key passes and 40 tackles across 30 La Liga appearances this season, delivering one of the most productive campaigns of his career and establishing himself as one of the more complete box-to-box midfielders in the Spanish top flight. His combination of defensive intensity, creative output and direct goal threat from midfield makes him a genuinely versatile and dangerous option in Thiaw's system, and his La Liga experience against competitive European opposition gives him the tactical preparation needed to perform at the highest level. For Senegal, Gueye provides the midfield with the energy, leadership and goal-scoring threat needed to complement the more defensively minded profiles around him, and his consistent output throughout the season makes him one of the key figures in what promises to be an exciting Lions campaign at the tournament this summer.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Experience in attack Pepe has been named in Ivory Coast's World Cup squad and is expected to provide manager Fae with an experienced and direct attacking option throughout the competition.

Impact Pepe ended the club season at Villarreal in La Liga, continuing to demonstrate the pace, directness and goal-scoring ability that has made him one of the most recognizable forwards in African football over the past decade. The 31-year-old scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions and his ability to come on and make an immediate impact makes him a valuable option when a game needs to be opened up. His experience at the very highest levels of European football gives him the credentials to deliver in big moments and he is heading into the World Cup motivated to show he still has the quality to perform at the international level and play a meaningful role for the Elephants.

JUNE 9 • ROTOWIRE

Rayo Vallecano coach Iñigo Pérez is leaving after taking the modest Spanish club to its first final

Rayo Vallecano says coach Iñigo Pérez is stepping down two days after the modest Spanish club lost the Conference League final

MAY 29 • Associated Press

Arnau Tenas - Allows one in finale Tenas recorded three saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Tenas is ending his season on a relatively good note, as he would only allow a first-half goal while making three saves in the win. However, he ended his season without a clean sheet, making 10 appearances all season. He ends up allowing just over a goal per game, with 16 goals allowed and 30 saves this campaign.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Two assists Sunday Pepe recorded two assists on two chances created in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Pepe started the final game of the season after a bench role in the last contest, using the time well as he earned two assists in the dominant win. That said, he ends the season with seven goal contributions in his final six appearances of the season. He thend completes the season with eight goals and eight assists in 36 appearances (26 starts), one of his best seasons since leaving Lille in 2019.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Bags goal Gueye scored one goal on two shots in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Gueye ended a nearly three-month scoring drought Sunday in the season finale, as the midfielder scored in the 45th minute of the contest. He then ended the season with five goals and two assists in his 30 appearances (26 starts) this campaign. This does top his debut season despite fewer appearances, recording four goal contributions in 34 appearances last campaign.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Georges Mikautadze - Finds back net Mikautadze scored one goal on three shots in Sunday's 5-1 win over Villarreal.

Impact Mikautadze ends the season with consecutive games with a goal, as he scored last appearance against Sevilla, then scored again Sunday in the 40th minute against Atletico. That said, he has three goal contributions in his last two appearances of the season. The forward ended a decent first season at Villarreal, recording 13 goals and six assists in 32 appearances (23 starts).

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Ayoze Perez - Three goal contributions Sunday Perez scored two goals on four shots and one assist on one chance created in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Perez ended the season off in a good way, as the attacker recorded a brace, scoring in the 34th and 54th minutes of the contest. However, that was not all, as he also added an assist, finding Georges Mikautadze in the 40th minute. He ended up with a decent season despite a lot of injuries, earning five goals and four assist sin 25 appearances (12 starts).

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Parejo - Goal in final appearance Parejo scored one goal on one shot in Sunday's 5-1 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Parejo is likely to end his time with Villarreal after the 2025/26 season and ended it in a good way, as the midfielder scored the opener in the 30th minute from the penalty spot. He then wraps up the season with only the one goal standing as his lone goal contribution this campaign, earning it in 32 appearances (16 starts). The veteran's career is now in limbo, as he may find a new club, but at the age of 37, retirement is also an option.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - Featuring for Canada Buchanan is set to serve and likely start for Canada at the 2026 World Cup.

Impact Buchanan is entering his second straight World Cup with Canada, as he has been called up for 2026, likely to earn a starting role yet again for the team. He will likely hold down the right flank of the midfield, although he is versatile and could give time in the middle or either flank of the attacking midfield. He is one of the few players on the squad who plays in a top-five league in Europe, so he will be a key player to the team, earning seven goals and one assist in 34 appearances (21 starts) with Villarreal this campaign. He will then be used as a pain playmaker on the flanks, partnering up with Alphonso Davies (hamstring) once fit, mainly used to set up Jonathan David and Cyle Larin up front.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Ramon Terrats - Returns to Villarreal Terrats will return to parent club Villarreal after his season-long loan at Espanyol, the club announced.

Impact Terrats made 29 La Liga appearances for the Catalans this season, contributing one goal and two assists as a primarily rotational option in the midfield. The midfielder lifelong Espanyol fan joined the club he supported since his youth and gave a solid account of himself in the top flight, though the club will not exercise their purchase option and he returns to Villarreal.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Romero - Signs contract extension until 2031 Romero has signed a contract extension with Villarreal until June 2031, two years beyond his previous deal, and will join the first team squad for the 2026/27 campaign after two su...

Impact Romero developed through Villarreal's academy before progressing through the B team in the second division, and his back-to-back seasons at Espanyol established him as one of the best defenders in La Liga, with his performances in the most recent campaign particularly standing out. Romero now returns to his parent club for what promises to be an exciting and demanding season in which Villarreal will compete in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The club expressed their pride in securing the long-term future of one of the most promising products of their academy, with Romero set to add competition and quality to the first team defensive options heading into the new campaign.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Deportivo La Coruna returns to top tier in Spain after eight years

Former champion Deportivo La Coruna has made it back to the top tier of the Spanish league after an eight-year absence

MAY 24 • Associated Press

Gerard Moreno - Out Sunday Moreno (undisclosed) is out for Sunday's match against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Moreno is not with his teammates Sunday and will miss the final match of the season, as an undisclosed injury is too much to play through. This is a major loss for the club as they lose a forward, forcing Ayoze Perez and Georges Mikautadze to start at forward. Moreno ends his season with 10 goals on 39 shots in 22 appearances (16 starts) this season.

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Mallorca and Girona relegated as La Liga finishes

Girona and Mallorca have been relegated after playing their last games of the La Liga season

MAY 23 • Associated Press

Gerard Moreno - Late call for season finale Moreno (undisclosed) is a late call for Saturday's season finale against Atletico Madrid after not training fully this week, according to coach Marcelino.

Impact Moreno's availability for what would be a significant fixture for Villarreal will be determined after a final assessment ahead of kickoff, with the club not wanting to rush the veteran striker back before he is fully ready. Ayoze Perez is expected to step into the starting lineup if Moreno cannot be cleared in time for what promises to be a celebratory occasion at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Santi Comesana - Ruled out for season finale Comesana has been ruled out of Saturday's season finale against Atletico Madrid due to a calf injury, according to coach Marcelino.

Impact Comesana ends what has been a strong individual campaign with four goals, six assists, 53 tackles, 33 interceptions and 62 clearances across 42 appearances (35 starts) in all competitions, having been one of Villarreal's most consistent performers throughout the season. Dani Parejo is expected to get the start in his place, giving the veteran midfielder a fitting farewell appearance in what will be his final game for the Yellow Submarine before departing this summer.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

La Liga finishes with relegation and European berths in play

The final day of La Liga promises drama with more than half the teams either eyeing the prize of playing in Europe or locked in a desperate fight to avoid relegation

MAY 21 • Associated Press

Dani Parejo - Set to leave Villarreal Parejo will leave Villarreal at the end of the season after six years with the club, according to the club.

Impact Parejo made 269 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 16 goals and establishing himself as one of the ninth-highest appearance makers in Villarreal's history and the fifth-most prolific La Liga appearance maker of all time. During his six seasons at the Estadio de la Ceramica, Parejo won the UEFA Europa League in 2021, reached the Champions League semifinals in 2022 and helped the club secure three Champions League qualifications. The club will pay tribute to Parejo at Sunday's final La Liga fixture against Atletico de Madrid, which will also serve as the celebration with the fans following their Champions League qualification this season. Villarreal expressed deep gratitude for his dedication and commitment throughout what has been a defining chapter for the club, wishing him every success in the next step of his professional career.

MAY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Suspension served Veiga is available after clearing a card accumulation ban in league play.

Impact Veiga is a regular center-back asset for his team, so he's expected to take a starting spot from either Willy Kambwala or Rafa Marin. The Portuguese has earned five clean sheets across 27 La Liga starts in 2025/26, and he's averaging 4.9 clearances per contest, which rank second among Villarreal players.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Arnau Tenas - Five saves in loss Tenas allowed two goals while making five saves during Sunday's loss to Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Tenas allowed a goal in each half as Villarreal dropped all three points Sunday. The keeper has allowed six goals while combining for 14 saves over his last three starts. Villarreal end their season with a home clash against Atleti on Sunday.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Ayoze Perez - Queit against Rayo Perez took an off target shot, crossed once inaccurately and created a chance during Sunday's loss to Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Perez finished with the third most shots and second most chances created on the team during the defeat. The forward has a goal to go along with four shots and two chances created over his last three appearances.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

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Rayo Vallecano coach Iñigo Pérez is leaving after taking the modest Spanish club to its first final

Deportivo La Coruna returns to top tier in Spain after eight years

Mallorca and Girona relegated as La Liga finishes

La Liga finishes with relegation and European berths in play