Elche snap up Roma's Buba Sangaré on loan with purchase option
The Spanish club have secured 18-year-old right-back Buba Sangaré from Roma until the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent.
Elche CF have moved swiftly to replace the Celta Vigo-bound Álvaro Núñez, bringing in teenage right-back Buba Sangaré on loan from Roma until the end of the season.
Spanish homecoming for Sangaré
The talented 18-year-old defender returns to Spain after his brief Italian adventure with Roma, where he failed to break into the first team. This loan deal includes an option to purchase, giving Elche flexibility for their future planning.
Sangaré’s story is quite interesting, actually. The Spanish-Malian youngster began his football journey in Elche’s backyard, developing in the youth ranks of Ilicitano Sporting before making the switch to Levante’s academy system.
His rapid development at Levante was nothing to be sniffed at:
- Made his first-team debut at just 16 years old in a Copa del Rey fixture
- Earned his La Liga debut with Levante in January 2024
- Secured a move to Italian giants Roma following that breakthrough season
Winter business complete?
The right-back becomes Elche’s fourth winter window acquisition, joining a list that includes:
- Gonzalo Villar
- Tete Morente
- Chilean talent Lucas Cepeda
Elche’s brass have been proper busy this January, that’s for sure. After losing Núñez to Celta Vigo, they’ve moved quickly to shore up their defensive options with a youngster who already has a taste of top-flight football despite his tender age.
For Sangaré, this represents a chance to get his career back on track after finding opportunities limited in the Italian capital. The familiar surroundings of Elche – where he began his football journey – might be just what the doctor ordered for the promising full-back.