Elche CF has completed a busy transfer deadline day with three key defensive signings. The Ilicitano club has sealed the signing of Israeli left-back Roy Revivo from Maccabi Tel Aviv for 2.8 million euros.
Martín Anselmi's team, sitting 19th in La Liga with just one point from three games, urgently sought defensive solutions after conceding nine goals. Revivo's arrival, at 23 years old, joins the operations for Kevin Lomónaco and Rubén Sánchez.
Who is Roy Revivo, the new left-back?
Roy Revivo is a 23-year-old left-back who joins Elche CF after impressing at Maccabi Tel Aviv. The agreement includes a payment of 2.8 million euros and the Israeli club retains 20% of a future sale. The player was already traveling to Spain to sign a four-season contract.
His addition brings specialization to a left flank the team needed to cover. Revivo competes for the position with Germán Valera, although the latter can operate on both sides. The Israeli international becomes a bet for the present and future of a defense seeking stability.
What does Kevin Lomónaco bring to the center of defense?
Kevin Lomónaco is the most expensive defensive reinforcement of the market for Elche CF. The club paid around four million euros to Independiente for 80% of the Argentine defender's rights. The agreement also served to cancel the pending debt from the Iván Marcone operation.
Lomónaco, aged 24, signs until June 2030 and arrives with the reputation of being one of the center-backs with the highest projection in Argentine football. The player stands out for his intensity, speed, and anticipation, qualities Elche urgently needs after a complicated league start. You can check the full squad profile on our squad page.
How does Rubén Sánchez fit at right-back?
Rubén Sánchez is the third defensive addition confirmed by Elche CF on deadline day. The club officially announced the arrival of the 25-year-old right-back from Espanyol for 500,000 euros. The Barcelona entity retains 25% of a future capital gain.
The Catalan footballer, who was out of the plans of manager Manolo González, signs for three seasons with an option for one more. "Rubén Sánchez stands out for his ability to operate at right-back, his intensity and his commitment in both phases of the game," the club described in its official statement. His experience in the Second Division with Mirandés and Granada is an added value.
What context does the team find after the market closes?
These reinforcements arrive at a delicate moment for Elche CF. The team has accumulated only one point in its first three La Liga matches, with a goal difference of -6. They are eight points behind the leader, Barcelona, in the overall standings you can follow on standings.
The last match was a 3-2 defeat against Racing de Santander on August 28. In that encounter, the franjiverde goals came in a magical minute with strikes from Fer Niño and Buba Sangare, but they were not enough. The team showed character to come back from a 3-0 halftime deficit, although they ultimately fell.
The next challenge is a home match against Real Sociedad on September 7. This fixture, listed on our fixtures calendar, represents the first opportunity for the new signings to help improve the team's situation. Rubén Sánchez has signed his contract with Elche CF until June 2029.
