IFL side Rajasthan United complete signing of former Real Madrid youth defender Adri Castellano

The Spanish defender joins Rajasthan United FC for the upcoming campaign.

IFL side Rajasthan United FC have completed the signing of Spanish defender Adri Castellano, adding considerable experience to their defensive ranks ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The 32-year-old left-back arrives in Indian football after spending his entire professional career in Spain, where he represented clubs including Almería, Granada, Numancia, Ponferradina, Córdoba, Atlético Sanluqueño and Marbella.

Castellano also has a notable connection with Real Madrid, having come through the club’s youth academy and trained with the first team during José Mourinho’s tenure.

The move gives Rajasthan United a defender who has experience across multiple levels of Spanish football, including almost 100 appearances in the Segunda División.

Adri Castellano’s career so far

Castellano began his career in Spain with Séneca CF before joining the Real Madrid academy in 2011. He later progressed to Real Madrid C, making 32 league appearances between 2012 and 2014, before moving to Almería B, where he spent two seasons and made 50 league appearances.

The left-back subsequently represented Almería, Celta Vigo B and Granada B, before making his mark with Granada’s senior side. He later played for Numancia and Ponferradina, spending three seasons with the latter and accumulating significant Segunda División experience.

He returned to boyhood club Córdoba in 2023, before later spells with Atlético Sanluqueño and Marbella. Across his career, Castellano has built up almost 100 appearances in Spain’s Segunda División, while primarily operating as a left-back and also gaining experience in central defence. He now makes the move to India with Rajasthan United FC.

Castellano’s Real Madrid connection

One of the most interesting chapters of Castellano’s career came during his time at Real Madrid. After joining the club’s academy in 2011, the young defender progressed through the youth ranks and made his debut for Real Madrid C in 2012. Castellano also caught the attention of then-Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who called him up to train with the first team as a well

Castellano ultimately left Real Madrid in 2014 without making a competitive appearance for the senior side, joining Almería B and continuing his development in Spanish football.

How can Castellano fit into Rajasthan United’s system?

Castellano’s versatility could make him a useful addition to Rajasthan United’s defensive unit. Primarily a left-back, the Spaniard has also featured as a centre-back during his career, giving the club the option to utilise him in different defensive roles depending on the opposition and tactical setup.

Rajasthan United have shown flexibility with their formations, and Castellano’s ability to operate both at left-back and in central defence could allow them to switch between a back four and a back three without significantly altering the personnel.

In a back four, he can provide a natural option on the left, while his experience in central defence gives the team another possibility when playing with three defenders. The 32-year-old’s extensive experience in Spanish professional football could also bring composure and organisation to the defensive line.

For Rajasthan United, therefore, the signing is less about simply adding another left-back and more about bringing in a versatile, experienced defender who can give the team tactical flexibility. With the club looking to build a competitive squad, Castellano’s ability to cover multiple defensive positions could prove valuable throughout the season.

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