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Leverkusen Sign Defender Grimaldo from Benfica on Four-Year Deal

Benfica's Spanish midfielder Alex Grimaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese League football match between Portimonense SC and SL Benfica at the Portimonense Municipal stadium in Portimao on May 13, 2023. (AFP)
Benfica's Spanish midfielder Alex Grimaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese League football match between Portimonense SC and SL Benfica at the Portimonense Municipal stadium in Portimao on May 13, 2023. (AFP)
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Leverkusen Sign Defender Grimaldo from Benfica on Four-Year Deal

Benfica's Spanish midfielder Alex Grimaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese League football match between Portimonense SC and SL Benfica at the Portimonense Municipal stadium in Portimao on May 13, 2023. (AFP)
Benfica's Spanish midfielder Alex Grimaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese League football match between Portimonense SC and SL Benfica at the Portimonense Municipal stadium in Portimao on May 13, 2023. (AFP)

Bayer Leverkusen have signed former Spain youth international Alejandro Grimaldo for next season on a four-year deal, the Bundesliga club said on Monday.

Leverkusen have flourished under Spanish coach Xabi Alonso since he took over in October last year, leading them from 16th to seventh in the league with two games remaining, and with a shot at a Europa Conference League spot.

They are also through to the Europa League semi-finals where they face AS Roma in the second leg this week after losing 1-0 in Italy.

The 27-year-old Grimaldo, a product of Barcelona's youth system who also played for the Spanish club's reserves, had been at Benfica since 2016. He joins Leverkusen as a free agent.

"Alejandro Grimaldo is a speedy and skilled full back who is tactically very versatile," said Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes. "He is a threat in front of goal and has a lot of experience and quality."

"We are happy that we could convince Alejandro of our long-term ambitious concept."

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Struggling Valencia Hires West Brom Manager Carlos Corberan as Its New Head Coach

15 December 2024, United Kingdom, Watford: West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan, reacts during the English Football League championship soccer match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa)
15 December 2024, United Kingdom, Watford: West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan, reacts during the English Football League championship soccer match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa)
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Struggling Valencia Hires West Brom Manager Carlos Corberan as Its New Head Coach

15 December 2024, United Kingdom, Watford: West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan, reacts during the English Football League championship soccer match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa)
15 December 2024, United Kingdom, Watford: West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan, reacts during the English Football League championship soccer match between Watford and West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa)

Relegation-threatened Valencia has hired West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan as its new head coach through June 2027.

Valencia fired Rubén Baraja on Monday after another setback in La Liga left the Spanish club stuck in the relegation zone and sparked renewed protests against Singaporean owner Peter Lim.

"Carlos Corberan has been appointed as coach of Valencia CF, signing a contract through to 2027," a statement on Valencia’s website said early Wednesday. "A buy-out option in his contract with West Bromwich Albion was taken up to allow him to leave."

No official figure was given but the compensation for the former Valencia youth player was reported to be in the region of $3 million.

The Spaniard, who also briefly coached Greek side Olympiakos, led West Brom to its current seventh place in England's second-tier Championship. He worked in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr before making his debut as a first-team manager with Doxa Katokopias of Cyprus.

West Brom earlier said in a statement that the 41-year-old Corberan "is set to return to his homeland with the club’s gratitude and best wishes following a two-year tenure at The Hawthorns."

Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill "will oversee first-team duties until further notice."

Valencia’s next Spanish league match will be against Real Madrid at home on Jan. 3 in a game postponed from October because of the deadly floods that hit Valencia.

Valencia is winless in its last four matches.

Corberan wrote on X that "the decision to leave (West Brom) has been the hardest of my life."

"There will ALWAYS be a place in my heart for this special club and I hope one day I can return to thank you all for your incredible support," he said.