Cristian Rivero extends Valencia contract until 2027 | OneFootball

Valencia have extended Cristian Rivero’s contract until 2027, according to AS.

The move stands out given his lack of first-team opportunities, though the club value his day-to-day work and are considering pathways for fellow keepers Vicent Abril and Raúl Jiménez.

Rivero’s previous deal was due to expire in June, as were those of Julen Agirrezabala and Stole Dimistrievski. Agirrezabala is sidelined with a hamstring injury and has no set return date, and he has a buy-back clause of around 12 million that Valencia are unlikely to trigger. Valencia can extend Dimistrievski’s contract unilaterally by paying a bonus.

Rivero has played only five matches for Valencia since 2020, plus three at Alcorcón and seven at Albacete. He is the least used of the trio under Corberán. In the Copa tie against Sporting de Gijón, with Dimistrievski injured, Agirrezabala started as part of the rotation in that competition.

Keeping Rivero in the senior squad allows Valencia to map a plan for Abril and Jiménez, both Spain Under-20 internationals who were called up for the last World Cup at that level. The intention is for one to continue developing with the reserve side, playing regularly rather than sitting on the first-team bench, and for the other to progress on loan.

Source: AS