Dani Raba: a versatile, talented and experienced winger for Valencia CF

With the arrival of Dani Raba, Valencia CF sign a left-footed winger in full sporting maturity, capable of contributing and producing in the team’s attacking play from various positions in the final third.

The Cantabrian footballer, born in Santander on 29/10/1995, took his first steps in football at clubs like CD Calasanz and Bansander before joining Villarreal CF’s youth ranks in 2014. He made his debut in LaLiga on 5 November 2017 against Málaga CF, just a few days after his first appearance with the first team in the Copa del Rey against SD Ponferradina. While at Villarreal, he was part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League in 2021, scoring a goal in the decisive penalty shootout.

After playing for clubs such as SD Huesca and Granada CF, the winger showed his abilities at CD Leganés, his most recent team, where he performed at a high individual level this past season. In the final months of the campaign, he stood out as a key player for the Madrid-based side, finishing as top scorer and one of the team’s best performers (9 goals across LaLiga and the Copa del Rey), directly contributing to 14 goals thanks to the 5 assists he provided for his teammates.

In addition to his strong goal-scoring instinct and ability to create danger, one of his added values is his versatility. Raba can play on either wing, as well as take up more central positions — either as a link between midfield and attack or as a forward — roles in which he has shown his ability to create play and energise the attack, delivering impressive numbers. These attributes have led Valencia CF, following his best season at the top level, to identify him as a clear market opportunity to continue raising the squad’s competitiveness ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Valencia CF’s new player comes from a family of athletes. His great-grandfather Valentín was a goalkeeper for Racing de Santander, his grandfather ‘Chiqui’ Raba played as a midfielder for Racing, and his father, Pablo Raba, was also a professional athlete, although in basketball. Both of his brothers also play football.