Almería's youth policy continues to bear fruit

The Almería youth policy continues to bear fruit. The center-back Míchel Zabaco (26 years old) and the winger Antonio Puertas (23 years old) have earned a place in the first team. The two, along with Iván Sánchez (22 years old), José Ángel (23), and Cristóbal (23), had a contract, after their time with the reserve team, to move up to the 'A' team, although also the option of going out on loan. The former Atlético de Madrid player was already informed that they would stay under Sergi's orders at the beginning of the summer, while Míchel and Puertas have earned a spot after the concentration in Asturias.

Míchel, who holds a degree in Business Administration and Management, goes from being the captain of Almería B to competing for a spot in the center of defense with Morcillo, Trujillo and Vélez (the last two also played for the reserve team). Meanwhile, Puertas (the first Almerían player on the team after three blank years) can play in any attacking position, although Sergi counts on him for the wings. Thus, in principle, no one else would arrive for the attacking line.

Sergi does not count on José Ángel and Cristóbal. The former will continue training in the Anexo while his departure is finalized, while the latter has been told to leave to Vega de Acá to train with the second team.

Another case is that of Dani Romera (19 years old), a player from the reserve team who has done preseason with Sergi, and has even made his debut in the Primera División and Copa del Rey. According to the club, "he will continue training with the first team until a specific decision is made, whether to continue under Sergi's orders or go out on loan." The Almería native does not consider playing with the reserve team and wants to play with UDA in the Segunda División, although if they do not count on him, he prefers to leave on a permanent transfer rather than a loan. If he leaves, the club will bring in another striker.

With Antonio Marín - one of the captains of the U19 European champions - signing his contract with the first team in mid-June, there will be four players moving from the reserve team to the first team. With Trujillo and Fran Vélez, six out of the 22 players in the first team have passed through Almería B.