Levante secure Ugo Raghouber loan deal from Lille to bolster midfield options
French midfielder Ugo Raghouber joins Levante on loan from Lille until the end of the season, reuniting with former manager Luís Castro.
Levante have moved swiftly in the January window to secure their first winter reinforcement, bringing in French midfielder Ugo Raghouber on loan from Ligue 1 outfit Lille until the end of the season.
Familiar face for Castro
The 22-year-old midfielder isn’t exactly a stranger to Levante’s gaffer Luís Castro - the pair worked together at Dunkerke in the French second division last season, where Raghouber established himself as an absolute diamond in Castro’s system. The lad was instrumental in Dunkerke’s promotion push and helped them reach the French Cup semi-finals before returning to his parent club.
Castro clearly fancied getting the band back together, and who can blame him? When you find a player who gets your philosophy, you want them on board.
Limited opportunities at Lille
Raghouber’s move makes perfect sense when you look at his situation with “Les Dogos”. The young Frenchman has been warming the bench in Lille, making just two appearances all season:
- A brief three-minute cameo against Lorient in a league match back in August
- Just over an hour in Lille’s Europa League clash with PAOK
With game time in short supply up north, this loan move offers Raghouber a chance to get his career back on track under a manager who clearly rates him.
Ready for action
The midfielder wasted no time getting acquainted with his new surroundings, arriving at Levante’s training complex in Buñol on Wednesday morning to meet his teammates and the coaching staff. He’ll be straight into training from Thursday as Levante prepare for a proper test this weekend against the small matter of Real Madrid.
Loan situation sorted
Despite this being Levante’s seventh loan signing in the current squad, they’ve navigated the FIFA regulations like a treat. Raghouber’s arrival doesn’t breach any rules thanks to an exemption for players under 21 (like Matías Moreno), allowing the Valencia-based club to register him for La Liga without any aggro.