Matthys: Castellón's game-changing keeper who's as good with his feet as his hands
Belgian shot-stopper Romain Matthys is proving crucial to Castellón's promotion push, with clean sheets and even assists adding to his impressive Segunda División credentials.
The Belgian goalkeeper is making waves in Spain’s Segunda División with his all-round performances, including a recent assist against Andorra that helped maintain Castellón’s promotion push.
Keeper turned playmaker
It’s not every day you see a goalkeeper providing an assist, but Romain Matthys is no ordinary keeper. The Belgian has been absolutely mustard between the sticks for Castellón, and Sunday’s match against Andorra showcased his full repertoire of skills.
Matthys delivered a pinpoint long ball that found Gerenabarrena in space, allowing the Athletic Bilbao loanee to finish with aplomb and break the deadlock. This wasn’t just a happy accident either - the move had been specifically worked on during training sessions, showing the tactical nous of Pablo Hernández’s side.
The keeper then backed up his attacking contribution with two crucial saves in the second half, helping secure a comfortable 2-0 victory and extending Castellón’s impressive unbeaten run.
Clean sheet specialist
Matthys has been proper Bobby Dazzler recently, with some eye-catching stats to his name:
- Four consecutive clean sheets
- 390 minutes without conceding a goal
- Last goal conceded on January 3rd against Huesca
This defensive solidity has transformed Castellón into one of Segunda División’s most reliable backlines, despite their attack-minded approach. After an unstable start to the season defensively, they’ve now conceded just 25 goals in 24 matches - making them the third-best defensive unit in the league behind only Las Palmas and Burgos.
Promotion credentials
The shot-stopper from Seraing has been instrumental in Castellón’s rise to the automatic promotion spots. His ability to excel both in traditional goalkeeping duties and when playing out from the back suits the team’s offensive style perfectly.
Matthys frequently ventures off his line to snuff out one-on-one situations, allowing the team to maintain a higher defensive line. This proactive approach has contributed significantly to their current form - five consecutive matches without defeat in 2026 and just one loss in their last 13 outings.
With a keeper who can both stop goals and create them, Castellón have found themselves a proper diamond as they push for promotion to La Liga.