Festive Surprise: Lucas Pérez Training with Leganés Ahead of Potential January Move
Former Arsenal and West Ham forward Lucas Pérez is trying to impress Leganés boss Igor Oca during the winter break as he seeks a return to Spanish football.
The journeyman striker Lucas Pérez could be set for yet another chapter in his well-traveled career as he begins training with Segunda División side Leganés.
In a Christmas surprise for Pepineros fans, the 35-year-old Galician forward has joined training sessions with Igor Oca’s squad as he attempts to earn himself a contract during the January transfer window.
Free Agent Status
Pérez has been without a club since his contract with PSV Eindhoven expired last summer. The veteran striker spent just half a season in the Netherlands after terminating his deal with Deportivo La Coruña in January 2023.
The well-traveled forward was spotted as the standout new face when Leganés returned to training this week. The Madrid-based club are preparing for their first official match of 2026, which comes against Albacete on Sunday, January 4th.
Extensive Career History
If Pérez does convince the Leganés coaching staff of his worth, it would add another club to his already extensive CV. The striker’s career has taken him across multiple countries and leagues:
- Spain: Deportivo La Coruña, Cádiz, Elche, Alavés, Rayo Vallecano
- Ukraine: Karpaty Lviv, Dynamo Kyiv
- Greece: PAOK
- England: Arsenal, West Ham
- Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven
What Next?
The coming days will be crucial for Pérez as he looks to prove he still has the quality to contribute at professional level. For Leganés, the potential addition would bring valuable experience to their squad as they navigate the competitive Segunda División landscape.
Pérez’s Premier League experience with the Gunners and the Hammers could be particularly valuable, even if his time in London wasn’t exactly the dog’s dinner many had hoped for when he first arrived at the Emirates.