Valencia Secures Unai Núñez on Loan to Bolster Defense

Valencia CF has successfully completed the loan signing of Basque defender Unai Núñez until the end of the season. This move has been expedited in recent hours due to the pressing defensive needs of the Mestalla team. The agreement was reached following negotiations among Celta de Vigo, the player’s parent club, Hellas Verona, where he had been on loan this season, and Valencia itself.

Núñez, 28, joins Valencia to strengthen a defense that has been significantly weakened by the serious injury of Mouctar Diakhaby and a shortage of players in central defense. This situation has forced coach Carlos Corberán to make temporary positional adjustments within the squad. According to various sources, the deal aligns perfectly with the profile the coach was seeking: an experienced central defender who is immediately available and in competitive form.

Having played 18 matches in Serie A this season with Hellas Verona, accumulating around 1,300 minutes in the Italian domestic league, Núñez is eager to return to LaLiga in search of continuity and stability. His desire to come back to Spain has been one of the key factors that facilitated the negotiations, according to sources close to the deal.

Finally, Hellas Verona, currently at the bottom of Serie A, has granted permission to terminate the loan after considering options in the market to cover his exit. Meanwhile, Celta had already expressed their approval, provided that a satisfactory resolution of the previous contract was ensured.

This acquisition allows Valencia to bring on board a player they had previously monitored during past transfer windows, including interest in 2022, which ultimately did not materialize. The club expects Núñez to integrate seamlessly into the team dynamics and be available for upcoming league fixtures.

The arrival of this central defender represents a strategic reinforcement at a critical juncture of the season, addressing the urgency to bolster a position that has already been impacted by Diakhaby’s long-term injury and Tárrega’s injury, which will keep him out for the next two to three weeks.