Fran Castillo’s rise from Málaga prodigy to CD Castellón’s third summer signing | OneFootball

Fran Castillo became CD Castellón’s third summer signing yesterday, joining after a breakout Primera Federación campaign with UD Ibiza in which he scored 10 goals and supplied one assist in 28 games. The club have also exercised their option to buy Agustín Sienra.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Málaga-born midfielder’s early years mixed highs with setbacks.

Castillo came through Málaga’s academy, sharing a standout youth season with Nules-born coach Sergio Pellicer alongside Javi Ontiveros and Youseff En-Nesyri. That team won the Copa de Campeones Juvenil for only the second time, beating Sevilla on penalties, which Castillo clinched with a Panenka for 0-3.

The title earned Málaga a UEFA Youth League place, but Castillo stepped up to Atlético Malagueño for one season, then moved to Albacete’s reserves. That spell fell short of expectations and he returned to hometown side CD Alhaurino.

He then seized a second chance at Juventud Torremolinos, becoming a key figure as the club achieved back-to-back promotions from Tercera Federación to Primera Federación.

A stellar year in Segunda Federación, where he was named the division’s best player, prompted Ibiza to move. In his first season at the third tier he delivered, finishing as the Pitiuso side’s top scorer.

An attack-minded midfielder, Castillo has gradually moved higher up the pitch, thriving near the box with dribbling, imagination and sharp movement between the lines.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo