Espanyol unveiled Bryan Zaragoza and Andoni Gorosabel on 3 September, adding two immediate first-team options to their 2026 La Liga campaign with the season already under way. Zaragoza is the headline arrival, joining from Bayern Munich on loan with an option to buy. The winger has framed the move as a chance to find stability, play regularly and enjoy his football again.
- Espanyol presented Bryan Zaragoza and Andoni Gorosabel as their newest signings on 3 September 2026.
- Zaragoza joins from Bayern Munich on loan, with an option for Espanyol to buy him outright.
- Gorosabel arrives as an experienced right-back, adding depth and competition for the season ahead.
Bryan Zaragoza’s New Start at Espanyol
Bryan Zaragoza made it clear this was the move he wanted. The winger said talks with his agent, sporting director Monchi and head coach Manolo González convinced him Espanyol’s project was the right fit, having told his representatives from the start that he wanted to play for the club.
After spells away from home at Bayern Munich and Roma, Zaragoza admitted those experiences were not easy but insisted they had helped him learn and improve. He said he wanted to remain in one place for a while as he rebuilt his career.
Playing and being happy again sits at the centre of his thinking. Zaragoza said that is his priority now, with González asking him to stay true to himself rather than change his game. He feels most comfortable on the left wing, though he is also happy to play on the right, and he expects Espanyol to use a wide player close to the touchline – a role that should suit him well.
There was also a lighter moment when Zaragoza said he hopes to score against every team, adding that doing it against Barcelona would be even better. It came across as a lighthearted personal target, while a return to the Spain squad remains one of the ambitions he believes this move could help realise.
Why Espanyol Wanted Zaragoza and Gorosabel
Monchi set out a clear sporting case for Zaragoza’s arrival. He said Espanyol had prioritised an incisive winger with dribbling ability, a one-on-one threat and the capacity to push opponents back, seeing Zaragoza as exactly that profile.
The sporting director also noted that Zaragoza made a significant financial effort to complete the move, underlining how strongly the player wanted the transfer without getting into figures or contract details. With Zaragoza already boasting recent experience across La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Europa League, Espanyol are bringing in a player with a top-level background and a point to prove.
Gorosabel was presented alongside him as a complementary addition to the squad rather than the main headline act. Monchi said Espanyol needed a right-back after Rubén Sánchez’s departure and that Gorosabel quickly showed his willingness to join. The club’s recruitment work was presented as a joint effort between the sporting department and the coaching staff.
Andoni Gorosabel said the opportunity came late and moved quickly once he warmed to the idea. His recent La Liga and European minutes add useful depth to Espanyol’s right-back options.
Espanyol’s Immediate Season Plans
Espanyol’s message around both presentations was highly practical: help the squad now, then build from there. Zaragoza said the team’s first target has to be survival before looking as high up the table as possible, and Gorosabel echoed that sentiment, stressing the need to secure top-flight status first and then improve on last season.
Readiness, though, should be kept in perspective. Zaragoza said he had been training for more than a month after suffering knee inflammation last season and felt he could be available soon. Gorosabel’s situation sounded a little more measured; the defender noted that an adductor problem had limited his preparation, stopped him featuring in a friendly and left him needing to regain his match fitness.
Gorosabel also said he can play higher up the pitch if required, giving González another bit of tactical flexibility once he is fully up to speed. Zaragoza’s loan-with-option structure, meanwhile, gives Espanyol a route to make the move permanent later on. It is a useful setup for a club working within a tight salary cap, as they look for an immediate impact from two arrivals this season.
