GENERAL UPDATE, FIVE RENEWALS AND TWO NEW SIGNINGS

The football season never really ends. On the contrary, while the players can let their hair down a little over the summer, the management team is working tirelessly to find the right combination of players capable of challenging for promotion next season.

Every year I receive dozens of emails and messages asking the same question: “When are the fixtures released?” The answer is usually late July or early August. It is frustrating that the Federation leaves it so late. I’m sure they don’t realise that many Rojillo fans, along with supporters of other clubs, try to plan their holidays around attending matches.

Training will probably begin at the end of July, with the first league match of the season usually taking place during the first week of September. Before then, there will be friendlies, pre-season tournaments, and the popular Open Beach Training Session, where children have the opportunity to train alongside the UD Lanzarote squad. No dates have been confirmed yet, but as soon as they are, I will share the details.

RENEWALS

The club has secured three of its four captains for the 2026/27 season.

First to renew was last season’s Player of the Year, goalkeeper Ruymán. At 38 years old, he brings a wealth of experience and, like a fine wine, seems to improve with age.

Club captain Raúl Fernández has also committed his future to the club, extending his stay for a remarkable 13th season. The 31-year-old may be a man of few words, but he is a giant at the heart of the defence. I have yet to hear anyone say a bad word about him. What you see is exactly what you get: strength, passion, and an unwavering love for his club.

Defender Alex Cruz is the third captain to renew. Alex suffered several injuries last season which prevented him from reaching his best form, but his commitment to the club has never been in doubt. Just a couple of seasons ago, the now 29-year-old was voted the league’s best player.

The only captain yet to renew is goalkeeper Alejandro. As many Rojillo fans know, the 36-year-old suffered a serious knee injury a season and a half ago. He made a brief return before unfortunately suffering another long-term setback, causing him to miss the entirety of last season.

The good news is that his recovery from surgery earlier this year is progressing extremely well. Later this month, he will travel to Las Palmas to meet with the specialist who will give a final assessment of his condition.

Alejandro is far more than just a captain. He organises events such as the club’s popular Bingo evenings, which are both great fun and an important source of revenue. He is also heavily involved in securing sponsorship from local businesses. Alejandro is truly the heart of the club, and it is difficult to imagine UD Lanzarote without him. On behalf of all Rojillo supporters, we wish him the very best with his recovery and look forward to seeing him wear the goalkeeper’s shirt once again.

Midfielder Javi Martín was the fourth player to renew his contract, extending his stay for a fifth consecutive season. The 28-year-old remains a firm fans’ favourite thanks to his elegant style of play and remarkable composure on the ball. Javi has also captained the side whenever the other captains have been unavailable.

The fifth renewal, for now, is the charismatic winger Nadjib. The 30-year-old was in outstanding form during the first half of last season, helping the club climb to second place heading into the New Year. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury sidelined him for several months, and the team’s form noticeably suffered during his absence. A fully fit Nadjib is a valuable asset to any side in this division.

NEW SIGNINGS

The club is delighted to welcome 23-year-old local striker Aco Hernández.

Despite his age, Aco already possesses considerable experience at this level. He is also well known to new manager Juan Antonio Machín and arrives with an impressive goalscoring record, having netted 12 goals for Yaiza last season. The new Rojillo frontman will undoubtedly add firepower to the squad.

The second new signing is 24-year-old Oliver Viera, who came through the academy system of UD Las Palmas. An attack-minded left wing-back, Oliver has represented several clubs, including UD Las Palmas Atlético, CF Panadería Pulido San Mateo, and most recently UD Villa Santa Brígida.

Last season, he started 29 of the 30 matches he played, demonstrating both consistency and reliability. Although still young, he already has plenty of experience at this level and should prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.

If you would like to keep up with the latest news from the club, visit the official UD Lanzarote Facebook page. I will continue to provide updates every few weeks here as developments unfold.