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BORJA GUTIÉRREZ
Friday, 18 June 2021, 12:31
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Malaga have begun their summer transfer business with the signing of left-back Javi Jiménez from Mirandés on a two-year deal. This comes after Argentinian striker Pablo Chavarría agreed a new contract to keep him at La Rosaleda until at least June 2023. On top of this, Jozabed is expected to sign a permanent contract with the club soon after terminating his deal with Celta Vigo. The midfielder spent last season on loan with the Blue & Whites.
The deal with Chavarría was agreed last week.The Argentinian's previous contract was set to expire at the end of June and he was one of Malaga's key players before a serious knee injury ended his season in March.
With Chavarría around halfway through his injury rehabilitation, the club have decided that the quality that the 33-year old brings to the side is sufficient to give him a new contract, with which he will remain one of the team's highest-paid players. Indeed, his five goals and two assists made him very influential before his injury.
Tying him down to a new deal was seen as one of sporting director Manolo Gaspar's main objectives in the offseason and he praised the player's "versatility in attacking areas and his dressing room presence that made him an important player for us last season". He is expected to return to action around mid-September, about a month after the season begins on 15 August.
Speaking about the new deal, Chavarría said: "I'm very happy to continue here because the club has put a lot of faith in me since my injury. I hope to be back on the pitch soon." He went on to mention that he will be "staying in Malaga throughout June" to work on rehabilitation before taking a week-long break ahead of pre-season.
As for Jiménez, he received offers from several clubs before committing to Malaga. His good relationship with new coach José Alberto, who coached him last season at Mirandés, and sporting director Manolo Gaspar helped to convince him. The 25-year-old also spent time playing for Malaga's reserve team earlier in his career.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the club praised the player's "quality on the pitch" along with his "attitude, team spirit and his desire to come back to the club". Jiménez is expected to be presented to the press next week, once he has arrived in Malaga.
As for Jozabed, Celta Vigo confirmed on Tuesday that the player's contract had been terminated one year early in order to allow him to freely sign for another club, which is expected to be Malaga.
Indeed, talks between the club and the 30-year-old midfielder are said to be at a very advanced stage. Jozabed was one of Malaga's standout performers last season and he was able to revitalise his career after a challenging spell with Celta. A permanent move to the Costa would also be appealing to the Seville-born player on a personal level as it would allow him to be closer to his family.
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