Rodrigo Ely returns to UD Almería for new chapter

Rodrigo Ely is back at UD Almería, the Club where he played a pivotal role in both their promotion to LaLiga and their subsequent survival in the top tier of Spanish football. The Brazilian central defender, now 32, signs for the remainder of the season and 2 more years, marking his return to the Club where he achieved such significant milestones.

Ely initially joined UD Almería in March 2022 as a free agent, contributing immediately to the Club’s promotion by playing 12 matches and scoring 3 goals. In the 2022/23 season, now in LaLiga, he was a mainstay in the starting XI, featuring in 36 league fixtures. After spending the summer of 2023 in Marbella with the squad, a mutual decision saw him return to Brazil, where he played for his former youth club Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alégrense, before further stints in Italy, England and Spain.

The defender has now rejoined the team under manager Rubi, following a medical check-up at the Vithas Hospital in Almería. He was present at the weekend’s victory over AD Ceuta FC and is now fully integrated into the squad.

Rodrigo Ely becomes the 3rd January recruit, following the arrivals of forward Miguel de la Fuente from CD Leganés and winger Jon Morcillo from Albacete BP.