Jaume Jardí shines and Zaragoza snapped up a difference-maker in time

Sport reports that Real Zaragoza knew early what it was getting with Jaume Jardí, and that sporting director Lalo Arantegui pushed the deal with urgency. He had been tracking the Catalan winger for a long time, described as a key figure at Nàstic and one of the most decisive players in Primera RFEF, while also noticing that his name was already being followed by clubs from Segunda and even draw-by teams in higher tiers.

A deal run at pace

According to Sport, Lalo went into motion as soon as he took charge of the sporting department, in early March. Only days after Jardí’s official presentation, he was already a Zaragoza player. The reason was simple: Jardí’s contract at Nàstic was ending, so any delays could have changed everything. At his unveiling, the winger made his stance clear: “I barely thought about it—playing for Real Zaragoza is an opportunity I’m not going to let slip.”

Sport adds that Nàstic tried to react with a renewal through Tomeu Nadal, the director who arrived once Jardí had already signed. The article says Nadal tried to persuade him, but Jardí stuck with his choice.

Catalan impact on the pitch

And the numbers follow the story. Sport says Jardí didn’t start as sharply in Tarragona on the opening match, which may explain why he began on the bench at home versus Antequera. However, when he came on in the second half, the match flipped—Zaragoza leaned to the right, and the Jardí–Sangalli link kept growing.

In Torremolinos, Sport highlights a standout performance: two assists, one goal, and another effort that didn’t count officially because the ball took a final touch off the back of the Juventud Torremolinos goalkeeper before crossing the line. After an earlier strike not recorded on the scoresheet, Jardí headed in for Diego, scored from a direct free kick to make it 1-3, and assisted Saidu for the 1-4. All of it in 80 minutes.

Sport frames the signing as an investment in promotion hopes: with 24 years old, Jardí posted 11 goals and five assists last season for Nàstic, and in the last three campaigns he has delivered 24 goals and 19 assists. The article also points out his earlier big call at 19—turning down a Barcelona contract renewal to join Real Madrid Castilla.