Player who signed lifetime contract with club joins rivals one year later
Who said loyalty in football was dead?
A player who committed his future to Levante by signing a lifetime contract with the club has left just 12 months after signing the deal.
Pepelu, who’s real name is José Luis García Vayá, had signed a 10-year contract with the Spanish second division side Levante, narrowly missed out on promotion to the top-flight after they were beaten by Alaves 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a 129th minute penalty via Asier Villalibre.
Although Levante won’t be playing in LaLiga, Pepelu will after he decided to leave the club just a year into his mega contract to join city rivals Valencia instead.
🎥🔴 VCF INSIDE | Así han sido las primeras horas de @pepelug8 como valencianista 🦇#BenvingutPepelu #ADNVCF pic.twitter.com/cJz3x9V3tp
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) July 9, 2023
Pepelu has massive contract release clause
Valencia signed the talented 24-year-old for just €5m and have included a release clause of €100m in his contract. The Spanish giants struggled last season and narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 16th and two-points clear of Real Valladolid, who went down with 40 points.
As for Pepelu, he played 47 games for Levante, last season, scoring one goal and chipping in with three assists.
It’s not the first time a player has signed a lifetime contract with a club. Raul of Real Madrid and Andreas Iniesta, formerly of Barcelona, also signed similar deals but like Pepelu, both ended up moving onto pastures new.
Read next: Summer transfer window 2023: Follow the latest updates live in our hub.
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