In a surprising transfer development, Spanish futsal star Javier ‘Chino’ García Moreno is departing Jaén Paraíso Interior to join Latvia’s RFS. The 33-year-old winger has accepted an attractive two-and-a-half-year contract from the Latvian club, which required negotiating down his €100,000 release clause. During his tenure with Jaén, Chino played a crucial role in securing three Spanish Cup victories across two separate stints with the team.
RFS Futsal, currently second in the Latvian league behind Riga, has been actively strengthening their squad this winter. Prior to securing Chino, they signed Brazilian goalkeeper Roncaglio, who had been unattached since the World Cup following his departure from Anderlecht. The Latvian club already boasts an impressive roster including World Cup champions Bruno Coelho (Portugal) and Kiki Vaporaki (Argentina), alongside Serbian Tomic and Croatian Kuraja.
The transfer was completed rapidly due to Latvia’s January 6 registration deadline. Chino informed Jaén’s board of his decision on Sunday, and the club agreed to a transfer fee of approximately €50,000. Acknowledging the exceptional opportunity for their player. He is scheduled to bid farewell at a press conference in the Olivo Arena on Tuesday morning before embarking on his first international venture, following a previously unsuccessful move to Russia’s Dinamo Samara in 2020.
Meanwhile
Jaén’s sporting director Nicolás Sabariego is working to recall Eric Panés from his loan at Polish champions Rekord Bielsko-Biala. The 23-year-old center, who joined from Alzira last summer, has impressed in Champions League matches against both Jimbee Cartagena and Palma Futsal.
Despite Chino’s departure, Jaén has managed to retain other key players, with Mati Rosa declining Palma Futsal’s offer and Alan Brandi choosing to stay despite interest from Italy’s Genzano and a Middle Eastern club. The team has already secured Brazilian Fernando Trindade from Carlos Barbosa, which allows for tactical flexibility with Lemine or Renato potentially shifting to wing positions.
The article concludes with details about the upcoming Spanish King’s Cup round of 16, highlighting key matchups including Osasuna Magna versus struggling Barcelona, who recently suffered a 3-7 defeat to Servigroup Peñíscola. Other notable fixtures include an Andalusian derby between Córdoba and Jaén, plus matches involving defending champions Real Betis against Movistar Inter, and two Second B teams hosting top-division opponents.
