There will be no competitive football at Rico Pérez for the next four months. In the meantime, the club must build a solid block to help Alicante’s team forget its recent struggles and, incidentally, end three years of hardship. The disappointment from the Espanyol base has weighed heavily, and Carlos Abad becomes the first player to renew his contract. The goalkeeper has nearly completed his first year in the city and is part of future plans for a refreshed blue and white SAD at every level.
The goalkeeper is among the few players who signed a short-term contract on the roster, a cautious bet after an empty season and only 15 appearances across two campaigns. He is a key figure for both Ángel Rodríguez and Lolo Escobar, and all technical reports support his continued presence.
28 YEARS
Ada, the goalkeeper, will turn 28 next month
► He appeared in 32 matches and was influential across the field, even after conceding 36 goals.
Abad, who will reach the age of 28, has overcome injuries that slowed his progress and regained his competitive edge. The Canarian goalkeeper has missed only two league games this season, the last two by technical decision, not due to poor performance or a lack of commitment, despite what the manager hinted before some matches. When asked, the manager suggested he would align more enthusiastically with what he observed.
They remain at the club because Iván Martínez’s presence with the sticks matters if the Canarian player decides not to continue.
Conceding 36 goals in 32 matches shows the goalkeeper’s impact in offsetting defensive gaps across the pitch. Abad has saved Hercules on numerous occasions and helped stabilize the defense, though the team’s overall structure has room for improvement. His right to a future at the club is undisputed, yet a potential departure from Iván Martínez could close a door. The club sees him as a valuable asset for development due to his evident potential as a growing player.
Luxury in Abad, Hercules’ destination
Caesar Hernandez
A young Soriano-born goalkeeper is set to join next season, entering his 21st year without a long professional track record yet, similar to early stages of players like Adrian López or Ismail Sahin. He seeks continuity, to burst onto the professional scene, and to showcase the capabilities Osasuna has already demonstrated through its national team calls.
Alicante owns this young goalkeeper from Soria, who will start the new season at 21.
Last season in the First RFEF with Castellón, Álvaro Kampos spent most of his time sidelined by a season-ending injury to the starter. Castellón still performed well defensively, conceding only 18 goals while winning most matches when he was on the pitch. In the final days, Iván Martínez, who had not started since a cup draw, had opportunities to shine in two matches against La Nucía, with one match carrying the risk of relegation in the last week of the league.
Maximum competition in the Hercules goal
Pedro Rojas
Abundant trust was rewarded as the keeper made decisive saves, stopping Saguntino three times and intercepting two key plays before departing to Ibiza. The clean sheet helped Hercules reach the KO tournament. The club hopes Carlos Abad will accept a contract extension, providing stability for the team during the preseason. If negotiations stall, a Tenerife-based goalkeeper remains the priority, contingent on willingness to stay with the squad through the summer schedule.
EDUCATION
Work three days a week until 31 May
► Hercules, finishing a difficult season in the lower tier of Spanish football, will continue training until 31 May. The team will practice three times weekly before a lengthy vacation. The sessions, described by Lolo Escobar as a light program, will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Rico Pérez. Football will not resume for four months. The technical staff will lead the project to restore the blue and white side, while players with current contracts will be invited to three weekly sessions to maintain form ahead of the summer break. The 2023-2024 season still needs finalization.