Íñigo Pérez asks for his first signing

Pathé Ciss has become the absolute priority for the new sports project of Villarreal. The Senegalese international midfielder is the explicit request of Íñigo Pérez, the new coach of the Castellon team.

The yellow board has swiftly taken action following the surprising dismissal of Marcelino García Toral this Monday. The offices at La Cerámica have sealed the deal with the young coach who recently dazzled in the capital.

The new direction for Villarreal after Madrid's European success

The Plana club entrusts its bench to Íñigo Pérez, a strategist backed by his recent remarkable career. Under the guidance of the coach from Pamplona, Rayo Vallecano reached historic heights in the last continental campaign.

Vallecas' squad came close to glory in the demanding Conference League final against English Crystal Palace. Despite the narrow defeat in the European tournament, the coach's prestige surged exponentially across the continent.

Now, the Navarrese helmsman takes on the challenge at Villarreal with the clear objective of returning them to the forefront. To achieve this, the sports management deems it essential to provide the team with players of a marked defensive profile.

The gap left by a historic figure like Dani Parejo necessitates a profound reconstruction in the creation zone. The coaching staff seeks a player with physical prowess and the capacity to regain possession in the central area. Pathé Ciss' profile fits perfectly into the requirements of the new tactical scheme set by the Pamplona coach.

Íñigo Pérez's request to revolutionize the midfield

The harmony between the coach and the African midfielder was total during their time together in the Community of Madrid. The Senegalese pivot played key matches performing at a very high level in the most critical moments of the competition.

The coach is familiar with Pathé Ciss' strengths and knows he will bring the necessary balance in defensive transitions. The negotiation to dress the powerful midfielder in yellow is at a fairly advanced stage between the parties.

The economic impact of the Rayo Vallecano pivot

Financial reports suggest that the transfer could be finalized for an amount close to three or four million euros. This figure is very affordable for the submarine's coffers, considering the current prices in the international market.

The team from Vallecas would view the sale favorably due to the need to renew certain positions in their squad. Negotiations are progressing well, and the final agreement between clubs could be announced in the coming hours of the week.

The African midfielder is excited at the prospect of taking a qualitative leap and playing at the Estadio de la Cerámica. His physical power and distribution criteria are highly valued qualities by analysts of the yellow entity.

Iñigo Pérez, new coach of Villarreal CF 🤝

The Navarrese coach will lead the yellow team for the next three seasons

Welcome to your new home! 💛

ℹ️ https://t.co/s2ZeoE7yaP pic.twitter.com/BcE30Szj0i

— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) June 1, 2026

Villarreal views his signing favorably

The Villarreal fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of new faces to reignite excitement after recent changes. The preseason is just around the corner, and the coaching staff wants to have their key players available as soon as possible.

The sports management is working tirelessly to close this open front and focus on shoring up the defensive line of the team. The influence of Íñigo Pérez has been crucial in convincing the player to reject other offers from important foreign leagues.

The sports project in the province of Castellón offers the player the perfect showcase to continue growing in elite football. With the imminent addition of Pathé Ciss, the Plana team secures muscle, tactical discipline, and experience on the field.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Íñigo Pérez pide su primer fichaje