Unai Hernández returns to Girona on loan from Saudi Arabia

Girona secured the signing of Unai Hernández, a 21-year-old midfielder who returns to the club after four years away. According to Mundo Deportivo, the player arrives on loan from Al-Ittihad until the end of the season, with a purchase option that would allow the Catalan side to make the move permanent once the campaign concludes.

The journey of an academy product

Unai's move is a homecoming in every sense. Born in Malgrat de Mar, the midfielder spent seven seasons in Girona's academy system from youth level, progressing rapidly through to the B team. Coach Míchel began monitoring his development in 2021, and in December that year called him to train with the first team; shortly after he featured in a Segunda División match in Huesca.

His potential caught Barcelona's attention in summer 2022. At the Blaugrana's B team, he made 38 appearances in the 2023/24 season, scoring ten goals and earning first-team opportunities, even playing in a pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe. In January 2025 he sought a new challenge with his transfer to Al-Ittihad, where he made nine appearances before being loaned to Al-Shabab.

Reinforcement with a profile for Quique Álvarez

He now returns a more developed footballer with international experience. Unai brings ball-playing ability, dribbling in tight spaces and attacking thrust from midfield, plus a good technical finish. His comeback gives Quique Álvarez fresh options in midfield, reclaiming academy talent while keeping the door open to making the deal permanent at season's end.