Valladolid snap up Michelin on loan from high-flying Racing Santander
Real Valladolid complete their winter business with a sixth signing as French right-back Clément Michelin joins from Segunda División leaders Racing Santander until season's end.
Real Valladolid have sealed their sixth and final winter window acquisition, securing Racing Santander’s French right-back Clément Michelin on loan until the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent.
From top to mid-table
The 28-year-old defender makes the curious switch from league leaders Racing Santander to a Valladolid side currently hovering in mid-table in Spain’s Segunda División. It’s a proper change of scenery for the Frenchman, who’s barely had a sniff this season at the Cantabrian outfit.
Michelin’s game time has been severely limited this campaign, with:
- Just over 400 minutes played across all competitions
- Only three starts before November
- Gradually vanishing from the matchday squads entirely
It’s a bit of a shame for the lad, considering he was a proper first-team regular last season. During the 2024/25 campaign, Michelin was absolutely crucial for Racing, racking up nearly 2,500 minutes across 35 appearances while chipping in with two goals and two assists.
Valladolid’s winter rebuild
The Pucelanos have been proper busy this January, with Michelin becoming their sixth winter addition. The club has strengthened across the pitch with:
- Forwards: Erlien and Ohio
- Winger: Sanseviero
- Centre-back: Ramón Martínez
- Full-backs: Clerc and now Michelin
The French defender fills a problematic position for Valladolid, where winger Iván Alejo has been forced to deputise as a makeshift right-back. With Alejo currently serving a three-match ban, Michelin’s arrival is timely.
One in, several out
Valladolid have also been clearing the decks, with right-back Trilli heading to Córdoba on loan after struggling for minutes. The club has also parted ways with Xavi Moreno, Javi Sánchez, Jorge Delgado, Arnu and Koke during the January window.
Michelin arrives with decent pedigree, having previously turned out for AEK Athens, Bordeaux, Lens and Toulouse before joining Racing on a free transfer. Now he’ll be hoping to get his career back on track at the José Zorrilla – a proper case of one man’s trash being another man’s treasure, as they say in the trade.