Sporting tie down keeper Yáñez until 2028 in stunning show of faith
Sporting Gijón have secured the future of goalkeeper Rubén Yáñez with a long-term contract extension that will keep him at El Molinón until 2028.
Sporting Gijón have locked down their man between the sticks for the long haul, with Rubén Yáñez putting pen to paper on a deal that’ll keep him at Spain’s oldest stadium until 2028.
Emotional announcement video
The club revealed the extension with a proper tear-jerker of a video that follows Yáñez on a sentimental journey through Gijón’s sporting landscape. The goalkeeper pays homage to his position by visiting various goalposts across the city, including stops at Gijón Industrial and UC Ceares grounds, plus the historic Puerto field.
The video doesn’t stop at football either. Our man visits Mata Jove, La Arena, and the La Guía Sports Palace, celebrating goalkeeping across different sports including hockey and handball. There’s even a lovely moment where he has an impromptu kickabout with the youngsters from Mareo in Isabel La Católica Park.
Legendary handover
The announcement reaches its emotional peak when Yáñez enters El Molinón through the Jesús Castro door, a nod to the club’s rich history. Waiting for him on the hallowed turf is none other than Juan Carlos Ablanedo, a proper Sporting legend, who presents him with a shirt bearing the number 2028 – representing the year until which his contract now runs.
Commitment to legacy
Yáñez himself seems well aware of the significance of his role at such a historic club. In a touching statement, he acknowledges the responsibility that comes with his position: “If you defend the woodwork of Spain’s oldest pitch, you must be conscious of the legacy you’ve inherited.”
The extension represents a significant vote of confidence in Yáñez’s abilities and suggests he’ll be a cornerstone of Sporting’s plans as they push for promotion from Segunda División back to where many feel they belong – Spain’s top flight.