Gonzalo Villar Returns to Elche CF on Loan from Dinamo Zagreb

Gonzalo Villar, who was present in the stands during the Elche-Barcelona match, is set to return to the Illicitano team six years after his departure. During halftime of the match, which saw Elche trailing 1-2, the club announced the signing of the 28-year-old midfielder via the scoreboard. Villar joins on loan from Dinamo Zagreb, with an option to buy, providing coach Eder Sarabia with added strength in the midfield, characterized by talent, drive, and playmaking ability.

Born on March 23, 1998, in Murcia, Gonzalo Villar developed his skills in the Elche youth academy. He later spent three years with Valencia’s B team before returning after Elche’s promotion to the Segunda División in 2018. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the Spain U-21 national team, leading to his signing by AS Roma in January 2020 for a fee of five million euros.

Villar’s career has also included stints at Getafe, Sampdoria, Granada, and most recently, Dinamo Zagreb, where he joined last summer. In his time there, he has participated in 15 matches across various competitions, contributing one goal and one assist.

With this move, Gonzalo Villar becomes the second reinforcement for the franjiverde squad in the current winter transfer window, following the signing of Chilean player Lucas Cepeda. Further movements are anticipated at the club, managed by Christian Bragarnik, as the transfer window draws to a close.