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SportsSporting Gijón signs Russian winger Nikita Iosifov with promotion-linked renewal clause
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Sporting de Gijón has completed the signing of Russian winger Nikita Iosifov, 25, from Slovenian club Celje. The transfer was finalized after ten days of negotiations, with Iosifov choosing Sporting over a formal offer from Granada. He signed a one-year contract with an option to renew until 2028 if the club achieves promotion to La Liga. Iosifov arrives after his best season, scoring 16 goals and providing 12 assists for Celje, including 4 goals in European competitions. Sporting values his versatility across attacking positions and plans to deploy him as a left wing-back. The club does not intend to sign another left-back, considering Iosifov, Gaspar Campos, and Pablo García sufficient. Sporting also confirmed the loan signing of Andrés Ferrari from Sint-Truidense and is targeting winger Jastin García from Girona, though that deal is on hold. The club expects to make three or four more signings, including a pivot, left winger, left-sided center-back, and an attacking midfielder.
Source report
Deal Finalized After Extended Negotiations
Sporting de Gijón has completed the signing of Russian winger Nikita Iosifov, following nearly ten days of talks that saw the deal practically closed for a week before some loose ends delayed his arrival in Asturias.
The 25-year-old had several offers from prominent Segunda División clubs on the table, including a formal proposal from Granada, which is currently undergoing a sale process.
Contract Details
Iosifov signs for Sporting for one season, with an option to renew for a second year through 2028 should the club achieve promotion to the First Division. This dual objective—sporting and contractual—defines his primary goal during his time in Gijón.
In his first statements as a red-and-white player, Iosifov said: "This club has to be in the First Division."
Player Profile and Recent Performance
Iosifov arrives off the best season of his career, playing for Slovenian side Celje, where he recorded:
- 16 goals
- 12 assists
- 4 goals in European competition (qualifying rounds and Conference League)
The club values his versatility across multiple attacking positions. He can operate:
- On both wings as a winger
- As an attacking midfielder
- As a false "9"
Coach Nicolás Larcamón and the sports commission believe he can perform primarily as a left wing-back—the profile the directors sought for that flank: a winger with box presence and the ability to sustain high-intensity efforts up and down the pitch.
Current Status
Iosifov spent Tuesday finalizing bureaucratic procedures to establish his residence in Gijón. He will train individually in the gym and is not expected to join Nicolás Larcamón's sessions until Wednesday.
Left Wing-Back Position
The Sporting sports commission does not currently plan to sign a dedicated left-back or another wing-back. The position is considered covered by:
- Nikita Iosifov
- Gaspar Campos
- Pablo García
The Gijón-born left-back (Pablo García) is currently the "discard" with the highest chance of remaining in the first team, backed by key figures in upper sports management. The preseason, Larcamón's assessments, and market developments will ultimately determine the final lineup.
Additional Transfer Activity
Winger Search
The club intends to sign a specific winger and has identified Jastin García as its primary target. However, that operation is on hold pending Girona's opinion and their process of offloading high-wage players first.
Confirmed Signing
Andrés Ferrari will arrive on loan from Belgian side Sint-Truidense, becoming the sixth signing of the 2026–2027 project.
Remaining Targets
Three or four additional signings are expected:
- A defensive midfielder (pivot)
- A left winger
- A left-sided center-back
- An attacking midfielder (in principle)
Source: La Nueva España
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Sporting de Gijón Nears Signing of Russian Winger Nikita Iosifov