LaLiga: 3 additions, world’s most expensive teen and more

Atletico Madrid's Portuguese midfielder Joao Felix (right) challenges Eibar's Spanish defender Anaitz Arbilla during their LaLiga Santander match at Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on Sunday. Felix scored his first goal for Atletico as Diego Simeone's side came back from two goals down to beat Eibar 3-2. (AFP)

The new season of LaLiga Santander welcomed three new teams―CA Osasuna, Granada CF and RCD Mallorca―for the 2019-2020 season.

Osasuna returns to the topflight following a two-year absence after being crowned LaLiga SmartBank champions in 2018-19. The side from Pamplona is a welcome addition for what will be its 38th season in the top division.

Granada CF, with a reputation as one of LaLiga’s “giant killer” clubs, likewise returns after a two-year absence together with their fans, known to be among Spanish football’s most passionate.

RCD Mallorca, on their eighth stint in LaLiga Santander, is owned by a consortium that includes National Basketball Association legend Steve Nash. Mallorca will fly the flag for the Balearic Islands as the only side based outside the Iberian Peninsula in its division.

A host of new signings are also joining the league of superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Koke. Among them are Eden Hazard and Frenkie de Jong, two of the most blockbuster summer signings in world football, who have joined Real Madrid and FC Barcelona respectively.

Over at Atletico de Madrid, Joao Felix became the second-most expensive teenager in football history―$130 million in seven years―by joining Diego Simeone’s side while Real Betis beat off competition from Europe’s top sides to secure the signing of French World Cup winner Nabil Fekir.

The 19-year-old Felix’s contract until June 2026 will pay him $3.9 million on his first year.

Notable names heading to pastures new within LaLiga include Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez, who has joined Valencia CF from RC Celta. The transfer window closed 2 September, adding even more quality to their ranks for the new season.

The historic Basque and Madrid derbies will be played this month, before “El Clasico,” the most watched club game in world football between fierce rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, returns late October.

The historic and always entertaining Seville, Valencia and Barcelona derbies follow in November, December and January, respectively.

LaLiga’ state-of-the-art aerial cameras are operative in 11 different LaLiga stadiums, with Getafe, Eibar and Real Sociedad the latest clubs to adopt the technology. Eight stadiums offer 360° replays while 4K cinematic production is now a permanent feature of the broadcasts, which reached an audience of over 2.7 billion fans around the world last season.

This season will also see the return of VAR (Video Assisted Referee) following a highly successful first season in which the correct decision rate in disputed incidents rose from 91.5 percent to 96.92 percent, according to Almudena Gómez, LaLiga delegate to the Philippines.

LaLiga matches are currently available on 93 international broadcasters in 183 different countries around the world.