Álex Calatrava leaves CD Castellón for RCD Espanyol after stellar rise | OneFootball

Álex Calatrava’s exit from CD Castellón is official, with RCD Espanyol triggering his release clause. He will play in Spain’s top flight next season.

The player said in a post that he was grateful to team-mates, coaches, staff and supporters, adding that they would meet again.

Calatrava joined from Atlético Madrid B after his contract expired. Eased into Segunda by Dick Schreuder, he scored at El Plantío against Burgos and supplied two assists in the 2-5 at the UD Almería Stadium before starting by matchday seven.

From his first start against Tenerife to matchday 18 he barely missed a beat, aside from a minor issue. In 11 successive starts Castellón took 18 of 33 points, while he produced five assists and one goal.

His injury coincided with a bleak run that ended Schreuder’s tenure after six straight defeats with the drop zone five points away. Returning at A Malata, he helped a morale-boosting win by forcing Naldo’s own goal with a cross.

He then dominated. Over the final 14 matches he recorded four goals and four assists, closing his debut Segunda campaign on six goals and 11 assists.

In 2025/26 he went up a level, hitting 15 goals and eight assists to lead Pablo Hernández’s side, including a hat-trick at La Rosaleda. Everything revolved around him.

Castellón’s sale is the biggest in their history, surpassing the departure of Daijiro Chirino to UD Almería. It underlines a model that turns promise into value and on-field impact.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo