RCD Espanyol has closed the summer transfer window with the signing of right-back Andoni Gorosabel. The 30-year-old defender joins on loan from Athletic Club with a purchase option dependent on performance objectives, as reported by Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday.
The move was finalized swiftly following the departure of Rubén Sánchez to Elche. Sergio Escario of the Spanish outlet noted the quick succession, stating: "A rey muerto, rey puesto. Y, apenas unos minutos después de anunciar el traspaso de Rubén Sánchez (25 años) al Elche, el RCD Espanyol ha oficializado a su sustituto. Se trata de Andoni Gorosabel (30), lateral derecho que llega desde el Athletic Club." This arrival brings the total number of signings to seven for the first window under the direction of Monchi at the Catalan club.
What experience does Gorosabel bring?
Andoni Gorosabel brings substantial experience in the top flight of Spanish football. The defender has made 194 La Liga appearances, the majority of them while wearing the shirt of Real Sociedad, the club where he was developed and spent most of his career. He also had a spell at Deportivo Alavés before moving to Athletic Club last season.
In Bilbao, however, he found playing time limited under German coach Edin Terzic. The manager preferred other options at right-back such as Jesús Areso, Hugo Rincón, Johaneko Louis-Jean, and the fellow Bilbao-born Louis-Jean. This lack of opportunities at the Basque club led Gorosabel to seek minutes at the RCDE Stadium, where he will join on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign.
Where does he fit in the current squad?
The arrival of Gorosabel has a clear purpose: to compete for the starting right-back spot with Moroccan international Omar El Hilali, who has been the established choice in that position for head coach Manolo González. The Perico coaching staff was seeking depth and experience for a key role, and the Basque player meets both requirements.
His signing is the seventh and final one of a summer marked by significant movement. The club had already confirmed the arrivals of Àlex Calatrava – the only permanent signing – Quilindschy Hartman, Gabriel Moscardo, Unai Nuñez, Vanja Drkusic, and Bryan Zaragoza. These names form a renewed squad aiming to improve performance after the last two seasons under the management of Ernesto Valverde. Fans can view the full roster on our squad page.
What is the team's competitive context?
RCD Espanyol begins the 2026/27 season with three points from three matches, placing them 11th in the La Liga standings. Their record stands at one win and two losses, with a positive goal difference of +1 after scoring five and conceding four. This leaves them six points behind the leaders, FC Barcelona.
The team has shown recent inconsistent form, reflected in a sequence of LLW (Loss, Loss, Win). The next challenge is immediate and significant: hosting Sevilla FC on Thursday, September 6th at 21:00 at the RCDE Stadium. The Andalusian side, currently sitting sixth in the table, will be a tough test for the new-look squad. Details of this and all upcoming fixtures are available on our fixtures calendar.
With the market closed, the squad is set for the rest of the year. The immediate focus for RCD Espanyol is that league match against Sevilla, a game that will test the defensive solidity from the first minute, an area where new signing Andoni Gorosabel is expected to contribute.
