Diego Barri’s rise at CD Castellón underlines second-chance ethos after Valladolid brace | OneFootball

Diego Barri is enjoying a late peak at CD Castellón, the 30-year-old anchoring Pablo Hernández’s side and headlining the 0-4 win in Valladolid with two goals.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Bob Voulgaris’s club has leaned on data to unearth undervalued players and offer second chances, a list that includes Cala, Raúl Sánchez and Israel Suero.

Barri came through UD Salamanca, but the club folded in his final youth year, prompting a move to Madrid to study INEF. He then turned out for Los Yébenes in Preferente after an unsuccessful Rayo Vallecano academy trial.

A stint in Tercera with Móstoles followed before Getafe’s B side put him back on a semi-professional track and he debuted in Primera. He later alternated between Segunda and Primera RFEF, with a brief stop in Croatia.

Castellón had tracked him for some time. Two seasons ago they called, but he stayed at Cultural Leonesa and celebrated promotion to Segunda. The club returned this summer and he signed.

Since then he has been outstanding, featuring in 24 of 25 league matches and starting 22. In that match he also hit the woodwork. He has three goals, all from attacking set plays, using his 1.88 metres, strength and timing.

He topped an online poll with 75%, ahead of Israel Suero on 9% and Beñat Gerenabarrena on 6%. He hailed a complete team display, said such away results merit credit, and stressed they are working hard in both phases and must keep that path.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo