Eliaquim Mangala signs for Bolivia's Oriente Petrolero | OneFootball

Eliaquim Mangala has signed for Bolivian side Oriente Petrolero, extending a career many thought was winding down. According to Superdeporte, the former Valencia centre-back has found his next step in Bolivia.

He left Mestalla in summer 2021 and stayed without a club until winter, when St-Étienne brought him in until season’s end. After that short deal he found no new destination and early retirement seemed likely, with injuries taking a toll.

In summer 2023 Estoril called. His form faded and he waited through the last transfer window for a final chance. More than six months on, he stayed in shape for one last run, which has now arrived from Bolivia.

Playing in Hispanic America can be a challenge, not so much for the Bolivian league’s level, which is closer to Spain’s Primera RFEF, but for specific conditions. Language should not be a problem. Oriente Petrolero were founded in 1955 and play at the refurbished Tahuichi Aguilera, which holds more than 38,000.

A decade and a half ago Mangala was regarded as one of the world’s best centre-backs. By 2011 he was a standout teenage defender at Standard Liège, a club noted for developing 16 and 17-year-olds, briefly sharing a dressing room with Michy Batshuayi.

Valencia showed interest then, but Porto won the race, and Manchester City later paid 45 million for him. He returned to Valencia on loan, then signed again as a free agent, making 54 appearances across three seasons while injuries limited him.

Source: Superdeporte