Hercules Secures Centre-Back Nacho Monsalve Until 2027

Hercules has reached an agreement with centre-back Nacho Monsalve to strengthen their defence. The 1.88-metre player has concluded his contract with Eldense and has committed to the Rico Pérez club, which has been seeking height and experience for their defensive line following the departures of Josema and Abraham del Moral, and the likely exit of Antonio Montoro.

The negotiation, initially reported by journalist Ángel García and confirmed by TodoAlicante, has successfully concluded, and barring any major surprises, Nacho Monsalve will don the blue and white for the upcoming season and the next. At 31, Hercules believes he will bring a significant quality boost to the defence due to his extensive experience in various leagues and countries.

Monsalve's career is, to say the least, unique and reflective of modern football. Trained in the youth ranks of Rayo Majadahonda and Atlético de Madrid, he fulfilled his dream of debuting with Cholo Simeone's first team in the 2015-16 season, in a 5-1 victory against Betis. His potential led him to sign a four-year contract with Deportivo de la Coruña, but he did not get playing time with the Galician first team and moved to Rayo Vallecano, who loaned him to Recreativo de Huelva. After his stint at Nuevo Colombino, Monsalve and his representatives decided it was time to move abroad, and he fared well in Europe: FC Twente (Netherlands), NAC Breda (Netherlands), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), and LKS Lodz (Poland).

In the last season and a half, he has been with Eldense in the Segunda División, although his participation has been modest: 13 starts and a painful relegation to Primera RFEF.

One of Hercules' main objectives this summer is to reinforce the defence, and the Nacho Monsalve deal is not the only one in progress, as there is also a closed agreement for the signing of centre-back Adrián Bolo, son of former blue and white player Jon Pérez Bolo, and a key figure for Zamora over the past two seasons. In terms of departures, the blue and white club announced several weeks ago the exits of Josema and Del Moral, and Antonio Montoro might follow suit despite being the most played centre-back last season. Alejandro Sotillos, lastly, benefits from his versatility, as coach Rubén Torrecilla still sees him as a valuable option for the right-back position.