Celta Vigo’s academy has been one of the most productive in Spain in recent years, and O Celeste are keen to rely on it for the coming few years, as has been shown by their faith in appointing Claudio Giraldez as first-team manager. Celta are keen to have at least five academy talents in the first team next season, according to Sporting Director Marco Garces.
One of them is midfielder Fer Lopez, whose contract is up in 2025. Celta are working hard to tie him down into a renewal, after a successful season at Celta Fortuna, the B side. Lopez has become a regular for Fortuna, and contributed seven goals and three assists in just 31 appearances. He is set to be starter for their play-off run as they look for promotion.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Héctor Fort has renewed his contract until 2026. @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/bCT91ckokN
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 28, 2024
Lopez scored in their 2-1 win over Barca Atletic last weekend, and Relevo say that Barcelona are one of the sides that are interested in signing him. They are one of many, but they don’t intend to pay much of a fee for Lopez, and would rather sign him on a free next summer.
Meanwhile fellow academy graduate Hugo Sotelo, also 20, was promoted to the first team last season, and is also out of contract next summer. His talks are not going as well, and Sotelo could potentially leave the club if no agreement is found.
In the final weeks of the season, Giraldez showed faith in the young players, giving minutes to Sotelo, Williot Swedberg and Hugo Alvarez, and that was repaid, as Celta stayed up with a weekend to spare. The presence of Giraldez will no doubt help Celta retain youngsters though, who will be more confident with a former academy manager.
