Goalkeepers
1. Joan García
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Joan García has become Espanyol’s undisputed number one following the club’s promotion from Segunda, the 25-year-old shot-stopper finally claiming the jersey after years of patient development. His reflexes (74% save percentage in 2024/25 Segunda, 73% in 2025/26 La Liga to date) and command of the penalty area (84% cross-claiming success) have been instrumental in Espanyol’s competitive performances since their return. García’s distribution (86% pass completion) remains functional rather than expansive, but his shot-stopping fundamentals are sound. Having started 32 league matches in 2025/26, keeping 10 clean sheets, he has silenced pre-season doubts about his ability to handle top-flight pressure. García’s relationship with the club—academy since childhood—provides emotional connection for the Espanyol faithful, who have endured years of mediocrity. García’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol rejecting January 2026 approaches from Getafe. García’s performance against Barcelona in the 2025/26 Derbi Barceloní—making 11 saves, including a penalty stop from Robert Lewandowski—instantly elevated him to cult hero status.
2. Fernando Pacheco
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Real Madrid Castilla, Alavés
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Fernando Pacheco has accepted a rotational role following García’s emergence, providing Spanish veteran experience, La Liga reliability, and dressing room leadership. The 33-year-old’s shot-stopping (71% save percentage in limited appearances) remains solid, though his distribution (85% pass completion) lags behind García’s. Pacheco’s experience—including 150+ La Liga appearances for Alavés—provides invaluable wisdom for younger teammates. He started 10 matches in 2025/26 (cup competitions and García’s rest), keeping 4 clean sheets. Pacheco’s contract runs through 2028, with Espanyol viewing him as valuable veteran depth.
3. Ángel Fortuño
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Academy graduate
Transfer Fee: N/A (Academy)
Ángel Fortuño has graduated to emergency third-choice option following development with Espanyol B. The 23-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Defenders
1. Fernando Calero (Captain)
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad, Málaga (loan)
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
Fernando Calero has become Espanyol’s defensive captain and leader, entering his third season at the club and providing Spanish tactical intelligence, positioning, and organisational communication. The 30-year-old’s reading of the game—intercepting passes (2.4 per 90), cutting angles, covering for advancing full-backs—provides defensive security. His passing (4.6 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion), particularly his line-breaking verticals to midfielders, initiates attacks from deep. Calero’s aerial duel success (78%) and tackling (2.3 per 90) provide physical presence. His partnership with Leandro Cabrera has conceded only 1.18 goals per 90 minutes over the 2025/26 season to date. Calero’s leadership, formalised as club captain following the promotion campaign, manages Espanyol’s dressing room through calm authority and professional standards. Calero’s contract runs through 2028, with Espanyol viewing him as long-term defensive anchor. Calero’s performance against Sevilla in October 2025—winning 9 duels, organising the defensive line—demonstrated his value.
2. Leandro Cabrera
Nationality: Uruguayan (Spanish-born)
Former Clubs:
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Leandro Cabrera has become Calero’s long-term partner in defence, providing Uruguayan physicality, aerial dominance, and South American grit. The 34-year-old’s aerial duel success (83%) leads Espanyol’s defence, neutralising target forwards and providing set-piece security. His tackling (2.7 per 90) and blocks (1.3 per 90) demonstrate old-school defending. Cabrera’s passing (86% completion) remains basic; his role involves clearing danger and recycling possession to Calero. His partnership with Calero has developed understanding; their complementary styles (Calero’s composure, Cabrera’s physicality) create defensive synergy. Cabrera’s contract runs through 2027, with a return to Uruguay likely thereafter.
3. Omar El Hilali
Nationality: Moroccan
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Omar El Hilali has emerged as Espanyol’s first-choice right-back, providing Moroccan international pace, crossing, and defensive improvement following his graduation from Espanyol B. The 22-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.6 per 90) and crossing (37% accuracy) created 3 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (1.8 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.5 per 90) provide balance. El Hilali’s relationship with French-speaking teammates provides comfort; his Moroccan international status (8 caps) provides big-game exposure. El Hilali’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol rejecting January 2026 approaches.
4. Carlos Romero
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Carlos Romero has developed into Espanyol’s first-choice left-back following patient integration, providing Spanish work rate, crossing, and defensive diligence. The 24-year-old’s overlapping runs (3.4 per 90) and crossing (36% accuracy) created 2 assists in 2025/26. His defensive positioning (1.9 interceptions per 90) and tackling (2.6 per 90) provide security. Romero’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol viewing him as long-term left-back solution.
5. Sergi Gómez
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Barcelona B, Celta Vigo, Sevilla
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2022)
Sergi Gómez has accepted a rotational role following Cabrera’s arrival, providing Spanish experience, versatility, and centre-back cover. The 33-year-old’s passing (4.4 progressive passes per 90) and composure under pressure provide functional depth. Gómez’s contract expires in 2027, with a move to Segunda likely.
6. José Carlos Lazo
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
José Carlos Lazo has provided left-back depth following his graduation from Espanyol B, offering Spanish work rate and crossing as Romero’s understudy. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
7. Brian Oliván
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: FC Andorra (loan), Espanyol
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Brian Oliván has seen his role reduced following Romero’s emergence, yet the left-back remains an emergency cover option. The 31-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
8. Javi Puado
Nationality: Spanish (covered in forwards)
Midfielders
1. José Gragera
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Sporting Gijón
Transfer Fee: £3 million (2023)
José Gragera has become Espanyol’s midfield anchor, providing Spanish passing security, tactical discipline, and physical presence following his permanent signing from Sporting Gijón. The 25-year-old’s passing (4.9 progressive passes per 90, 89% completion) and composure under pressure enable Espanyol to build play through midfield. His tackling (3.1 per 90) and interceptions (2.4 per 90) provide defensive security. Gragera’s aerial duel success (77%) adds set-piece presence. His partnership with Pol Lozano provides midfield balance (Gragera’s destruction, Lozano’s passing). Gragera’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol viewing him as long-term midfield anchor. Gragera’s performance against Real Betis in 2025—making 8 tackles, controlling midfield—demonstrated his value.
2. Pol Lozano
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B, Real Oviedo (loan)
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Pol Lozano has developed into Gragera’s midfield partner, providing Spanish work rate, passing, and tactical discipline following patient integration. The 26-year-old’s passing (4.6 progressive passes per 90, 88% completion) and work rate (11.2 kilometres per match) provide functional depth. Lozano’s contract runs through 2029.
3. Nico Melamed
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Nico Melamed has become Espanyol’s most creative attacking midfielder, providing Spanish dribbling, close control, and goal threat from central areas. The 24-year-old’s dribbling (3.5 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (7 goals in 2025/26) provide consistent threat. His creativity (5 assists) and set-piece delivery add value. Melamed’s work rate (10.8 pressures per 90) and defensive tracking (1.6 tackles per 90) meet Espanyol’s demanding standards. Melamed’s relationship with the club—academy since childhood—provides emotional connection. Melamed’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol rejecting January 2026 approaches.
4. Javi Puado (Captain)
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Academy graduate
Transfer Fee: N/A (Academy)
Javi Puado has become Espanyol’s captain and most important player, his versatility across left wing and centre-forward, leadership, and goal-scoring instincts carrying the club through their Segunda campaign and into La Liga survival battles. The 27-year-old’s finishing (11 goals in 2025/26) and movement off the left shoulder (2.9 shots per 90) provide consistent scoring threat. His versatility across left wing and centre-forward offers Manolo González tactical flexibility. Puado’s defensive work rate—tracking full-backs (1.9 tackles per 90), pressing—suits Espanyol’s survival system. Puado’s relationship with the club—academy since childhood, over 150 appearances—provides emotional connection supporters adore. Puado’s contract runs through 2029, with Espanyol rejecting January 2026 approaches from Real Betis. Puado’s performance against Barcelona in the Derbi Barceloní—scoring a 89th-minute equaliser, winning 7 duels—demonstrated his enduring quality.
5. Edu Expósito
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Eibar
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Edu Expósito has accepted a rotational role following Gragera’s emergence, providing Spanish passing quality, set-piece delivery, and midfield cover. The 29-year-old’s set-piece delivery (2 assists from corners in 2025/26) and passing (4.5 progressive passes per 90) provide functional depth. Expósito’s contract runs through 2028.
6. Álvaro Aguado
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Valladolid
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Álvaro Aguado has provided emergency midfield depth following his free transfer from Valladolid, offering Spanish work rate and tactical discipline. The 29-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
7. Keidi Bare
Nationality: Albanian
Former Clubs: Málaga, Espanyol
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2023)
Keidi Bare has seen limited minutes in 2025/26, providing Albanian international midfield cover. The 28-year-old’s contract expires in 2027.
Forwards
1. Javi Puado (Captain)
Nationality: Spanish (covered in midfield)
2. Martin Braithwaite
Nationality: Danish
Former Clubs: Toulouse, Middlesbrough, Leganés, Barcelona, Rayo Vallecano
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2025)
Martin Braithwaite’s summer 2025 arrival from Rayo Vallecano added Danish international experience, work rate, and penalty-box presence to Espanyol’s attack following his controversial Barcelona past. The 34-year-old’s finishing (9 goals in 2025/26) and work rate pressing centre-backs (11.0 pressures per 90) provide functional depth. Braithwaite’s experience—including La Liga title with Barcelona (2021)—provides dressing room wisdom. Braithwaite’s contract runs through 2028, with Espanyol viewing him as valuable veteran presence. Braithwaite’s performance against Sevilla in 2025—scoring a brace, winning 8 duels—demonstrated enduring quality.
3. Keita Baldé
Nationality: Senegalese
Former Clubs: Lazio, Monaco, Inter Milan (loan), Cagliari (loan), Sampdoria, Espanyol
Transfer Fee: Free transfer (2024)
Keita Baldé has provided experienced wide depth following his free transfer, offering Senegalese pace, dribbling, and creativity from the left flank. The 30-year-old’s dribbling (3.4 successful take-ons per 90) and finishing (5 goals in 2025/26) provide functional depth. Keita’s contract runs through 2028.
4. Alejo Véliz
Nationality: Argentine
Former Clubs: Rosario Central, Tottenham Hotspur, Espanyol (loan)
Transfer Fee: Loan from Tottenham Hotspur (2025)
Alejo Véliz’s season-long loan from Tottenham added Argentine youth pedigree, physicality, and finishing potential to Espanyol’s striking depth. The 22-year-old’s finishing (6 goals in 2025/26, primarily as substitute) and aerial duel success (76%) provide functional depth. Véliz’s loan expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, with Tottenham monitoring his development.
5. Gastón Valles
Nationality: Spanish (Uruguayan descent)
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Gastón Valles has graduated from Espanyol B to emergency forward depth following promising development. The 23-year-old’s finishing (2 goals in limited minutes) and work rate suggest potential. Valles’s contract runs through 2029.
6. Rubén Sánchez
Nationality: Spanish
Former Clubs: Espanyol B
Transfer Fee: Academy graduate
Rubén Sánchez has provided emergency wide depth following development with Espanyol B. The 25-year-old’s contract runs through 2028.
Conclusion
Espanyol’s 2025/26 squad represents the most resilient and pragmatic group assembled since the club’s Europa League qualification under Quique Sánchez Flores in 2019, a testament to Manolo González’s coaching, the academy’s continued production, and the players’ willingness to fight for survival. The defence, anchored by Fernando Calero’s intelligence and Leandro Cabrera’s Uruguayan physicality, provides platform for Espanyol’s survival system—organised, deep, and difficult to break down. The midfield, dominated by José Gragera’s destruction and Nico Melamed’s creativity, controls matches through disruption and occasional transition. The attack, headlined by Javi Puado’s leadership and Martin Braithwaite’s veteran presence, carries just enough goal threat to secure survival. Crucially, Espanyol has balanced immediate competitiveness with financial reality; El Hilali, Puado, and Melamed represent significant resale value while contributing immediately. The looming challenge involves maintaining La Liga status despite the club’s modest budget and the psychological weight of living in Barcelona’s shadow. Yet the RCDE Stadium’s intimate, passionate atmosphere—amplified by supporters who remember the club’s Copa del Rey triumph in 2000 and European runs in the 2000s—provides emotional fuel. Espanyol does not hope merely to survive; they fight with everything they have, taking pride in derby upsets and the occasional scalp of a European contender. This squad appears equipped to deliver another season of top-flight football, continuing the club’s remarkable ability to bounce back from adversity. Periquitos hasta la muerte.
