To understand the signing of Oier Luengo (Amorebieta, 1997), Oviedo’s second signing after Quentin Braat, we must place the context. The blue team (for the moment) boasts of good health in its centrals, with Costas and Calvo as leaders and Tarín in the rear. That is why the fourth member, the one who should occupy the place left by Christian Fernández, should have at least two qualities: youth and an affordable price. Both are met by the central Luengo, who is already in Oviedo, commits to the entity for two seasons from Amorebieta and is facing the opportunity of a lifetime after also passing through the Athletic Bilbao subsidiary.
It will be his first experience outside the Basque Country. “I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a great year for everyone,” the center-back told the club’s media, promising “pride, courage and grit”, the club’s motto. The characteristics of Luengo are perfectly known by coach Íñigo Vélez, the defender’s former coach at Amorebieta. “He’s a good marker, he goes well up top and makes few mistakes, some just due to inexperience. I think he’s a good signing for Oviedo, since he can be a good complement to a defense with Costas, Calvo and Tarín”, explains Vélez . Luengo played as a central defender in a scheme with four defenders, although Vélez also alternated a system with lanes and three central defenders.
Oviedo’s new defender was located in that left central drawing. “He has speed and good crossing and can play in both profiles, being reliable in both. His ball output is correct, although he doesn’t lavish much and doesn’t get complicated. I think he can perform well in a club with Oviedo’s demands, knowing what their place is”, concludes Vélez.
Luengo played 31 games for Amorebieta last season, in what was his first experience in professional football, 27 of them as a starter.
The center-back was trained in the ranks of that club and in 2018 he signed for Bilbao Athletic, although he returned to Amorebieta on loan as he hardly had any opportunities. He later returned to the Athletic subsidiary and did win a place in Second B in the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 campaigns. Amorebieta, again, recruited him again last year after his promotion to professional football. The center-back, according to what the club said in a statement yesterday, will join the training sessions, which begin this morning (10:15 a.m.), once he passes the relevant medical examination.
Parallel to Luengo, Oviedo continues to work on planning the squad, with defense as the main focus. Pomares, left back, will be the next to sign and yesterday he already said goodbye to Tenerife, his club for the last two seasons. Except for surprise, he will be in Asturias this week to join training.
Meanwhile, another left back is being sought to replace Pierre Cornud. Pieces are also being sought for the other winger, with Lucas and Jorge Mier on the squad, who returns after his loan to Unionistas. On the list managed by Tito Blanco, sports director, is, among others, Martín Aguirregabiria, whom the manager knows well, since he has just finished his contract at Alavés, his former team.
Aguirregabiria is a valued side with several suitors and, today, it seems a complicated option for Oviedo, where more than the new faces there is fear of a possible departure of Costas or Calvo. The club continues to search for more players and also continues to wait for Borja Sánchez’s response to the renewal offer. The Asturian ponders whether he will accept it or not and this week the final outcome is expected. At the moment, except for a major surprise, the man from Oviedo will not be back at work today.
