Cipenga’s cold farewell as standout striker returns to Castellón | OneFootball

CD Castellón began pre-season as fans digested Brian Cipenga’s belated farewell and the return of 17-year-old striker Marcos Fernández from Sevilla.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Pablo Hernández’s side started training this week and face CE Sabadell at 19.00 on Saturday at Ciudad Deportiva de la Coma, behind closed doors.

Nearly three weeks after UD Almería announced his signing, Congo winger Cipenga posted a low-key goodbye. He left the 2026 World Cup in the last 32 to England, 2-1, on 1 July after putting his country ahead.

In an Instagram message he said he was sad to leave, thanked supporters for their backing from day one, felt proud to represent the club and wished Castellón well.

The subdued tone did little to soothe a fanbase hurt by the exit of one of last season’s standouts to a now heated rival in Almería.

Meanwhile, Castellón’s academy focus under Haralabos Voulgaris continued with Fernández’s return. The Grau-born forward will spearhead the remodelled Juvenil A in División de Honor.

He struck 28 goals in 32 matches for Castellón’s Cadete A two seasons ago, after 27 in 67 across the previous two. In 2016 he joined from CD Roda and last term won the Liga Nacional with Sevilla’s Juvenil B, playing 16 games and scoring 2 in nearly 600 minutes.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo