RCD Espanyol have completed their final transfer move with the signing of right-back Andoni Gorosabel on loan from Athletic Club. The deal was finalized on September 1, 2026, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, with the player set to compete for the starting spot with Moroccan Omar El Hilali.
Gorosabel, aged 30, joins the Perico squad after falling out of the plans of Athletic's new coach, Edic Terzic. The defender is a product of Real Sociedad's youth academy and boasts 194 appearances in La Liga, experience he will bring to a backline that has conceded 4 goals in the first three matchdays. Espanyol currently sit 11th in La Liga with 3 points from one win and two losses, trailing leaders Barcelona by 6 points.
What does Andoni Gorosabel bring to Espanyol?
Andoni Gorosabel brings veteran know-how and deep competition experience. His record of nearly 200 top-flight matches makes him an immediately useful addition for manager Manolo González. The coach had made clear he did not count on Rubén Sánchez, aged 25, who was sold for 500,000 euros plus 25% of a future sale. Gorosabel's arrival covers that departure and provides a proven alternative at right-back.
The player joins after a season at Athletic, the club he moved to in the summer of 2024 from Deportivo Alavés. His adaptation should be straightforward given his extensive Liga background. With 194 Primera División appearances to his name, Gorosabel becomes the most experienced defender in the squad at this level.
How does Espanyol's squad look for this season?
The RCD Espanyol squad for the 2026/27 season has undergone significant renewal with seven new signings. Alongside Andoni Gorosabel, the club has made the arrivals of Àlex Calatrava permanent and has brought in Quilindschy Hartman, Gabriel Moscardo, Unai Nuñez, Vanja Drkusic, and Bryan Zaragoza. This batch of reinforcements aims to provide greater solidity and depth to a team targeting stability in the upper half of the table.
You can check the full first-team composition on our squad page. The team's goal difference is positive, with 5 scored and 4 conceded for a +1 differential. This reflects an attack that is functioning but a defense needing fine-tuning, an area where Gorosabel aims to contribute.
What is the team's next challenge?
The next challenge for RCD Espanyol is the fourth La Liga matchday fixture against Sevilla. The match will be played at the RCDE Stadium on September 6, 2026. The Andalusian side currently sit in sixth place, making this a demanding test for an Espanyol side looking to take all three points at home.
Ángel García, a journalist for Mundo Deportivo, contextualized the arrival: "El de Arrasate, con 194 partidos a sus espaldas en Primera División, llegará al Espanyol en condición de cedido y competirá con el marroquí Omar El Hilali por un puesto en el once de Manolo González." Internal competition for the right-back spot is now set. All fixture information is available in our fixtures section. The team approaches this match in good spirits following their latest victory, which ended an initial two-game losing streak.
