The Lowdown on Eliaquim Mangala

Eliaquim Mangala is gearing up for a second spell at Valencia CF, three seasons on from his first tenure at the club. For the French defender, it is a chance to return to a place where he felt a strong connection in the 2016/17 campaign, and boost the back line at Mestalla.

The centre back first attracted attention at Belgium’s Standard Liege -his first professional club- before a move to FC Porto. Three seasons and two Primeira Liga titles later, Manchester City came in with an offer for him.

It was from the Premier League side that he got his chance to join Valencia CF, signing on loan, playing 33 games and scoring two goals (against CD Leganés and FC Barcelona). In that time, he got to know several members of the current squad, with whom he formed a close bond. These included Ezequiel Garay, who was unveiled alongside Mangala in a joint presentation.

Returning to Manchester after the conclusion of the loan deal, the defender has not enjoyed the best of luck. Not a regular part of City’s plans in his first season back in England, he was granted another loan move in the winter transfer market and joined Everton -suffering a serious knee injury on February 10th, 2018, which meant that he would turn out just twice for the Toffees.

In his time away from Spain, Mangala has been keeping in touch with those at Valencia CF. He was able to visit the team when they played in England against Manchester United in the Champions League.

Now he rejoins the club on a permanent move, ready to make an impact once again and help Valencia CF in an ambitious campaign.