Horneo EÓN Alicante's Bombshell: Iván Montoya Signs Until 2028

Iván Montoya's return to Horneo EÓN Alicante marks a significant moment as the team debuts in ASOBAL, bringing top-tier handball back to Alicante. Montoya will play for his hometown team for the next three seasons.

The Alicante-born player joins EÓN from Fraikin BM Granollers, who finished second in ASOBAL. The 26-year-old pivot returns home after six seasons in the Liga Plenitude ASOBAL, during which he played 142 matches and scored 499 goals. His time in the top league also saw him compete in European tournaments with the Catalan team and defend the Bada Huesca badge, where he made his league debut.

Montoya returns to his city nearly a decade after leaving to pursue a dream, now fulfilling another: playing for his city's team in ASOBAL, as he himself confessed. "When you dedicate yourself to this and have to leave home because of circumstances, and there's a project in your city, it's exciting. Did I dream of being here in ASOBAL? I dreamed of Alicante having a team in ASOBAL. When would I come? I didn't know. But I knew that if there was a team in the top league, I could contribute, so, Did I dream of this? Yes, I dreamed of being here".

Talking about Montoya is synonymous with Alicante handball. His family name has been linked to the sport in the city since his grandfather played for Obras del Puerto and even his father, Juan, a great friend of this club since Sporting Alicante. For the new EÓN player, who already supported this project before the promotion was confirmed, joining the team is "coming home".

"I've known this project for many years, it has gained strength over time, and for me, joining this project and having a team in the top category of any sport in Alicante is exciting, and I wanted to be here and contribute my bit," he confesses.

"Playing at Pitiu, a name synonymous with handball, and being able to return to the elite of this sport is very important for the city, for the club, and personally, I am very proud to be part of this," he adds. Although he assures that for him, it is "a challenge" to be here. "The club has been promoted, we are in ASOBAL, coming here and doing things right and placing the club where it deserves to be is a challenge."

Regarding the 2025 - 2026 season, he believes it will be "very balanced as every year." "The recently concluded season is an example. The competition was fierce. Huesca seemed doomed but ended up surviving. ASOBAL is a very beautiful league, even if people say otherwise. The competition is fierce, and anyone can beat anyone. So, it will be tough, but we will achieve it," he confesses.

For Abraham Rochel, this is "the signing of the project." "When you start a new phase, there has to be a signing like this. Iván is a pivot who has been in the TOP3 of the category with impressive numbers. He is a player who makes a difference," he assures.