Castellón ship Markanich to Houston Dynamo in lengthy MLS loan deal
The American forward heads back to his homeland until December 2026 after struggling for minutes under Pablo Hernández at the Segunda División side.
CD Castellón have confirmed their second winter departure with American striker Nick Markanich joining MLS outfit Houston Dynamo on loan until the end of 2026 – a proper long-term arrangement that suggests his Spanish adventure has hit the buffers.
Brief Spanish stint
Markanich’s move comes exactly one year after he first touched down in Castellón during last season’s January window. His impact at the club has been rather limited, with the American managing just two goals across 24 league appearances and one Copa del Rey outing.
This season has been particularly challenging for the forward, who’s found himself firmly at the bottom of the striker pecking order under manager Pablo Hernández:
- Just 11 league appearances this term
- Only one start to his name
- Clearly third-choice behind other attacking options
Squad implications
Markanich’s departure leaves Castellón looking rather light up top, with only two recognised strikers remaining in the squad:
- Ousmane Camara
- Adam Jakobsen
This situation practically guarantees that the club will be in the market for attacking reinforcements before the January window slams shut. They’ll need to move quickly to ensure they don’t leave themselves short for the remainder of their Segunda División campaign.
The lengthy nature of the loan – running until December 2026 – suggests Castellón don’t see Markanich featuring in their long-term plans. For the player, it’s a chance to resurrect his career back on familiar soil after his Spanish move turned out to be a bit of a dog’s dinner.