The Spanish club recruited two African internationals in July 2021. Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia has been transferred from the Stade de Reims. Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi, also a member of the Reims club, has also joined the “Yellow Submarine”. He was at the end of his contract with Real Betis.
Winner of the Europa League against Manchester United on May 26, plays Villarreal Champions League 2021-2022. And “Yellow Submarine” must prepare for his reunion with this competition that he has not played in ten years. After taking advantage of the opportunity to buy the Argentine defender Juan Foyth for 15 million euros, the club trained by Unai Emery has been strengthened in the attacking sector.
Dia, “another player”
After several days of ongoing rumors, the transfer of Boulaye Dia from Reims to Villarreal became official on 13 July. The Senegalese striker, 24, was recruited by the Spaniards for an estimated amount of between 12 and 15 million euros. The player, author of 28 goals in 88 games in the Reims jersey, is coming out of a big season 2020-2021. He scored 16 goals in all competitions, including 14 in 36 Ligue 1 matches.
During the last winter transfer window, the striker, who was still playing at amateur level at Jura Sud Foot three years ago, had almost left. His resignation finally took place six months later. “I am very happy to be here. I would like to thank the President, the management, the staff and my teammates for their welcome. I am very happy to come to this club to move on, ”Boulaye Dia explained after his presentation on the website of his new team. “I want to grow up in Villarreal, develop my career and win titles. The Champions League is the best competition and I will prepare as best I can. “
Fernando Roig Negueroles is very pleased with this arrival. The president of Villarreal confided that his club had been following Boulaye Dia for a long time. “He is a different player than the ones we already have. He can offer us a lot in attack. It is a great reinforcement and we are very happy to receive it, “he insisted. Boulaye Dia is the second Senegalese footballer to wear the club’s colors after Alfred N’Diaye (2016-2017).
Mandi responded quickly to Villarreal’s call
Another player who wore the Stade de Reims shirt has joined Villarreal. Aïssa Mandi, 29, trained at the Champagne Club and professional there between 2009 and 2016, will also continue her journey under the yellow tunic of the winners of the Europa League. He was at the end of his contract with Real Betis, where he had played since leaving Reims. His arrival at the Valencia club had been in effect since mid-June and the defender was officially unveiled on Monday 19 July.
The winner of CAN 2019, Algerian will discover the Champions League. “When Villarreal calls you, you do not have to think much. I want consistency and I want to play Europe every year. When my agent told me about Villarreal’s interest, I did not think twice and everything happened very quickly, he says. Aïssa Mandi has initialed a contract for the next four seasons. He is the first Algerian player to wear this shirt.
As the winner of the Europa League, Villarreal will be in hat 1 in the draw for the group stage of the next Champions League. In three participations in C1, the club achieved two good performances: semifinalist 2005-2006, quarterfinalist 2008-2009. On the other hand, during the most recent campaign, 2011-2012, “Yellow Submarine” had dropped by six losses in six games in the first round.
Mandi has officially presented this late as ‘groguet’ ?
? @ aissamandi23: “I hope to have a better level for many more years in the #Villarreal”
¡BIENVENIDO, AÏSSA ?!
– Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) July 19, 2021.
