Portuguese footballer André Silva transfers to a Spanish club, departing from RB Leipzig - Portugese footballer André Silva moves to Spain, joins a new team
André Silva Joins FC Elche in La Liga for €2.5 Million
After a turbulent stint at RB Leipzig, Portuguese striker André Silva has made a permanent move to FC Elche in La Liga. The transfer, reported to be €2.5 million, including add-ons, marks a significant decrease from the €23 million Leipzig paid Eintracht Frankfurt for Silva in 2021.
The 29-year-old has signed a contract until 2026, with an option to extend for one additional year. Elche, who were newly promoted to La Liga, were eager to secure Silva's services, and he chose the move back to Spain, where he previously spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Real Sociedad.
During his time at Leipzig, Silva made 110 appearances and scored 47 goals, helping the club win two DFB Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023. Despite interest from Werder Bremen, Silva opted for Elche, hoping to revive his La Liga career after various stints in Germany.
Marcel Schäfer, Leipzig's sports director, praised Silva's professionalism and attitude despite a challenging period. The exact terms of Silva's contract with Elche have not been disclosed.
Silva's debut season with Leipzig was his only one reaching double digits in goals after a high-scoring spell at Frankfurt. His move to Elche comes after a loan spell with SV Werder Bremen in the second half of the previous season.
This transfer gives Silva a chance to rekindle his La Liga career, where he previously played for FC Porto and Granada. Silva's debut for Elche is yet to be announced.
André Silva, having previously excelled in La Liga with FC Porto and Granada, might opt for vocational training in sports management once his football career ends, given his interest in various aspects of the game. In Europe's premier football leagues, Silva's impressive goal-scoring record could translate well into a coaching position, particularly in vocational training programs for aspiring football players.
