Cuenca completes return to Sporting after week of negotiations

Andrés Cuenca returns to Sporting de Gijón after formalizing his loan from Como. According to Sport, both clubs have closed the deal after a week of intense negotiations, and the defender will arrive in Gijón in time to be available for the league debut.

The operation was delayed more than a month and went through complicated moments, but the centre-back's own determination has been key to unlocking it. The defender played several pre-season friendlies with the Italians, who saw potential in him and delayed the loan while expecting him to gain minutes in the Segunda División.

Defensive solidity as priority

With Cuenca's arrival, Sporting closes a completely reformed backline. The defence will debut four new faces: Cuenca himself, Jorge Sáenz (ex-Leganés), Duñabeitia (ex-Athletic) and Emanuel Gularte (from South America), alongside returners Diego Sánchez and Pablo Vázquez.

Coach Nicolás Larcamón has prioritized strengthening the defence after a pre-season where the team conceded ten goals in six matches. The five-defender system aims to balance the team's attacking ambition with defensive solidity. Cuenca, a left-footed defender with pace and good ball-playing ability, fits perfectly into that plan.

For the first matchday he will watch from the stands, but he will be available for the clash against Burgos next week.