Real Sporting de Gijón has officially completed the loan departure of forward Amadou Coundoul to Portuguese second-tier side Associação Académica de Coimbra, a transaction that includes a purchase option ranging around the medio millón de euros according to competing club reports. The 24-year-old Senegalese striker, who remains under contract at El Molinón until 2029, departed after failing to secure a regular role under manager Nicolás Larcamón.
The deal sends Coundoul to the Liga Portugal 2 club for the remainder of the campaign, providing the Portuguese outfit with a distinct pathway to secure his registration permanently. According to regional reports from Asturias, the agreement features an option to buy valued at approximately 500,000 euros, alongside a 10% sell-on clause that protects Sporting’s long-term financial interest in the player. Additional club reporting indicates the purchase option could reach figures structured across two distinct installments, with an accompanying precontract keeping Coundoul in Coimbra through 2030 if the clause is triggered.
Roster Reconfiguration and Failed Prior Moves
Coundoul’s exit aligns with a broader summer overhaul of Sporting’s attacking options following a campaign where the forward made 18 official appearances across LaLiga Hypermotion and the Copa del Rey, scoring two goals. Club records show the forward struggled to cement regular minutes following his promotion from the filial, prompting sporting management to seek alternative destinations once manager Nicolás Larcamón made it clear the player did not feature prominently in his immediate tactical plans.
Before settling on terms with Académica de Coimbra, the club explored several alternative exits. Negotiations were held with Ukrainian side Karpaty Lviv and local Asturian club Real Avilés, though those potential moves ultimately collapsed due to various economic and administrative hurdles.
Attacking Adjustments at El Molinón
Sporting’s sporting direction moved quickly to restructure the frontline for the ongoing season. The club has integrated summer arrivals Alejo Sarco and Andrés Ferrari while maintaining the services of forward Juan Otero. Concurrently, the recent departure of Jonathan Dubasin has left technical staff monitoring the transfer market for an additional central striker to reinforce the squad’s competitive depth.
Upon finalizing the transfer, the club published an official statement declaring: “El Real Sporting de Gijón y la Associação Académica de Coimbra han firmado un acuerdo para la cesión del jugador Amadou Coundoul. El conjunto de La Liga Portugal 2 se reserva una opción de compra. En el transcurso de la campaña anterior, Amadou participó en 18 partidos con el conjunto principal rojiblanco combinando LALIGA HYPERMOTION y la Copa de SM el Rey, logrando marcar un par de tantos. El Club le desea a Amadou que tenga una exitosa y satisfactoria etapa en su nuevo equipo.”
Worth a look
