ATP Ribera Navarra has successfully brought back two significant former players. José Antonio Fernández Castellano, known as Joselito, and Sergio Sierra de los Santos, also known as Sepe. Both of these international wingers have previously played for the Tudela team, and it has been confirmed that they are returning after securing their release from Sandro Abate and Movistar Inter, respectively.
Joselito previously played for Ribera Navarra for three seasons (2013-2016). The left-footed winger, who developed in Barça’s youth academy, returned to the Blaugrana team until 2021, where he won a League title in 2018. The 33-year-old from Cádiz then spent a season with Real Betis before moving to Italy’s Serie A, where he played for Olimpus Roma and Sandro Abate.
Sepe, also 33, spent the last two seasons at Movistar Inter, joining the club at the express request of coach Jose Lucas Mena. Who previously coached him at Ribera Navarra from 2017 to 2019. However, following the departure of Mena and some injuries, Sepe struggled to maintain the prominence he had at Industrias Santa Coloma, where he spent eight seasons across two stints after being trained in Barça’s youth system.
Joselito and Sepe will be key signings for ATP Ribera Navarra under the leadership of Álvaro Cordón Díez, known as ‘Cone,’ who has been promoted to head coach after serving as an assistant for the last six seasons. Additionally, captain David García has renewed his contract, marking his thirteenth season with Tudela, where he will reunite with Joselito and Sepe, his former teammates.
from the last season
Continuing from last season, goalkeeper Adrián Pereira, Argentinians Lucas Tripodi and Ángel Claudino, and Brazilian Gabriel Vasques will remain part of the Ribera project. However, nine players are departing. Including all the winter signings (Dani Montes, Victor Montés, Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Silva, and Brazilian pivot Matheus Dener). Along with Moroccans Hamza and Anás, Carlos Bartolome (to Movistar Inter), and Nacho and Jorge Espín, who have joined Wanapix Zaragoza.
Regarding new signings, ATP Ribera Navarra has officially announced the arrival of Joao Batista, a 35-year-old experienced left-footed winger from Al Yarmouk in Kuwait. This will be his fourth stint in Spain, having previously played for Palma, Barça, and Noia. The Brazilian has also played in Iran (Giti Pasand) and Russia (Norilsk Nickel). Additionally, youth player Alberto Lahuerta is returning from his loan at Martorell (Second Division). To reinforce the goalkeeping position, the club has signed Raúl Jiménez from Levante. They have also secured three promising young players: right-winger Marc Campas (Anderlecht), closing player Adrián Tapias (on loan from Barça), and closing winger Dani Fernández (Ceutí and on loan from Viña Albali Valdepeñas).