Spar Girona Bolsters Roster with French Forward Axelle Merceron

Girona, Spain – Spar Girona has announced the signing of French forward Axelle Merceron, 22, to a contract through the end of the current season and for the 2026/2027 campaign. The move comes at a critical time for the team, which is currently navigating injuries to key players Marta Canella and, more recently, Bibby.

Merceron arrives from Spar Gran Canaria, where she has been a standout performer in the LF Endesa league this season. In 21 games, the 6’1” (1.89m) forward averaged 18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and a valuation of 23.6 per game, establishing herself as one of the league’s premier interior players. She also earned five MVP of the Round honors throughout the course of the season.

Prior to joining Gran Canaria, Merceron developed her game within the French basketball system, starting with Bourges Basket before spending four consecutive seasons with UFAB 49 Angers. Her journey has now brought her to Girona, a team competing at a high level in European basketball.

Addressing a Need for Depth

The timing of Merceron’s arrival is particularly significant given the recent injuries within the Spar Girona squad. Canella’s absence has already been felt, and Bibby’s injury sustained during yesterday’s game against Fenerbahçe further depleted the team’s frontcourt options. The club’s director of sport, Pere Puig, explained that while the team hadn’t initially planned on adding players mid-season, the circumstances necessitated a move to reinforce the roster.

“From the sporting area of Bàsquet Girona, we have always said that we are very happy with this squad and the performance it is giving us,” Puig stated. “We had always said that, unless there were injuries, we would not reinforce our squad, but due to Marta Canella’s injury, we have been forced to reinforce the squad with the arrival of Axelle Merceron. Analyzing with the technical staff the shortcomings and where we could reinforce, we believed it was convenient to reinforce the 3/4 position.”

Puig emphasized the patience the club exercised in securing Merceron’s services, noting that they had to wait for her release from her previous club. “It has been a long process. We waited patiently and yesterday afternoon we finally received the termination of her previous club. Today we will proceed to register her in the FEB competitions.”

Previous Encounter at Fontajau

Interestingly, Merceron is already familiar with the Fontajau arena, having faced Spar Girona while playing for Gran Canaria in late January. In that contest, which Girona won 103-66, Merceron delivered an impressive performance, scoring 24 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and posting a valuation of 29. Fans in Girona witnessed firsthand her potential impact, and now she’ll be contributing to the team’s success.

While Merceron won’t be eligible for the EuroLeague Women Final Six due to registration deadlines, she will be available for selection by head coach Roberto Íñiguez for league and Copa del Rey play – crucial competitions as Girona pushes towards the end of the season. The integration of a player of Merceron’s caliber is expected to provide a significant boost to the team’s chances in these upcoming challenges.

The addition of Merceron represents a strategic move by Spar Girona to address immediate needs and strengthen their roster for the remainder of the season. Her scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and overall impact on the game make her a valuable asset as the team navigates a demanding schedule and strives for success on multiple fronts.

For fans following the EuroLeague Women, it’s worth noting that Spar Girona recently competed against Fenerbahçe Opet in the Play-Ins, with highlights from that game available on YouTube. You can view the full game highlights here.

What’s Next for Spar Girona?

Spar Girona will look to integrate Axelle Merceron into the lineup as quickly as possible. The team is scheduled to face Gernika this Saturday, and while it remains to be seen if Merceron will be available for that match, the coaching staff is aiming to have her ready to contribute. The team will continue to provide updates on her progress and availability through their official channels, including their Instagram page. Follow Spar Girona on Instagram for the latest news.

The arrival of Merceron injects new energy and talent into a Girona squad determined to make a strong push in both domestic and European competitions. Fans will be eager to see how she performs and contributes to the team’s success in the weeks and months ahead.