Albacete waste no time replacing Riki with Uruguayan midfield maestro
With Riki Rodríguez off to Deportivo, Albacete have moved swiftly to secure Martín Alejandro Fernández Figueira on loan from Newell's Old Boys with an option to buy.
Albacete have wasted absolutely no time in finding a replacement for departing midfielder Riki Rodríguez, securing the services of Uruguayan pivot Martín Alejandro Fernández Figueira on loan from Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys until the end of the season.
Swift business from the Alba
The Segunda División outfit have shown they’re proper on the ball in the transfer market, moving quickly to fill the gap left by Rodríguez’s move to Deportivo. The deal for the 22-year-old Uruguayan includes an option to buy - smart business if the lad proves his worth at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte.
Fernández brings a wealth of experience despite his young age, having already racked up an impressive 143 official matches across Uruguayan and Argentine competitions. That’s a fair few games under his belt for someone who’s only just old enough to buy a pint back in Blighty!
From Montevideo to Albacete
The defensive midfielder’s journey to Spanish football has been quite the adventure:
- Came through the youth ranks at Liverpool Montevideo (not to be confused with the Scousers)
- Made his professional debut in 2019
- Played a crucial role in Liverpool Montevideo’s 2020 Torneo Clausura triumph
- Moved to fellow Uruguayan side Boston River in 2022, eventually becoming captain
- Had a loan spell at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata in Argentina in early 2024
- Returned briefly to Boston River before transferring to Newell’s Old Boys last summer
What he brings to the team
With Albacete sitting in the bottom half of the Segunda División table, Fernández’s arrival could provide much-needed steel in midfield. His experience captaining Boston River suggests he brings leadership qualities, while his progression through multiple clubs indicates a player with adaptability - something crucial for adjusting to Spanish football.
For the Alba faithful, they’ll be hoping their new Uruguayan can hit the ground running. After all, replacing Riki is no small task, but the club’s swift action shows they’re determined to maintain their competitive edge in Spain’s second tier.