Hércules Kick Off Preseason with Tests, Arrivals, and New Ambitions
The action for Hércules starts more than two months after last season wrapped up in Ibiza. The blue and white club opened its preseason by conducting physical tests at Rico Pérez stadium, while transfer activity continues with five or six players expected to join the squad in the coming weeks.
Players were presented to the technical committee chaired by Rubén Torrecilla. In groups of four, they completed jumping, strength, endurance, and measurement tests that extended into the afternoon.
Hércules players will undergo medical examinations this Friday, and the first tactical session is scheduled for Monday. The team will train at a clinic in Alicante and at Rico Pérez, under the guidance of coach Rubén Torrecilla.
The club has already completed eight transfers: goalkeeper Javier Cendón; defenders Ryan Nolan and José Manuel Gómez; winger Alfonso Candela; midfielders Roger Colomina and Carlos de la Nava; and forwards Marcos Mendes and Kalvin Ketu.
Sports management is actively searching for a right-back, another defender, a left-back under 23, a defensive midfielder, and a striker to complete the roster.
Torrecilla arrived in Alicante to take charge of a team aiming to lead the promotion race back to the First RFEF. During preparation, training will move from Rico Pérez to Fontcalent facilities, which already boast a pitch in prime condition for workouts.
The club anticipates announcing the friendly schedule soon and launching the new season subscription campaign, with the goal of improving conditions from previous seasons.
The sports commission, led by Paco Peña, is pushing to close the squad quickly to maximize training presence. Torrecilla has begun pre-season preparations and is weighing early options for Hércules’ still-vacant positions. It remains unclear whether Jean Paul will stay with the team or go out on loan, given some uncertainty about his future after a recent season.
David Lopez-Guerrero
The U23 right-back from Hércules’ reserve team is expected to be one of the preseason innovations, with strong potential to challenge the first team. The club plans to sign another right-back to reinforce depth in that position.
Ramon Perez Book
Journalist and author Ramón Pérez will present the book “One Hundred Years of Hércules” at Jorge Juan this Friday at 7 pm. The event is expected to attract a full house in the club’s 250-seat hall and will offer biographical details and curiosities about Hércules’ heroes across a century of history. The presentation will be led by INFORMACIÓN Club director Toni Cabot and will provide insights into many unknown facts from Pérez’s seven-year research into the club’s official match debuts and key figures.
Calendar
Hércules, La Nucía, and Orihuela will begin the season at home following the Second RFEF calendar draw held in Las Rozas. They represent Alicante in the fourth tier of national football and are awaiting federation approval after La Nucía’s registration last week. Hércules will start at Rico Pérez against Espanyol B on September 2 or 3. La Nucía will host Lleida at Camilo Cano, while Orihuela will face Sevilla Atlético in Los Arcos.
The Alicante derby between Hércules and La Nucía in Group III is scheduled for matchday 10 at Rico Pérez. The second round will be played at Camilo Cano on the 27th matchday in March. Hércules’ first road trip will be to Formentera on matchday 2, followed by visits to La Nucía, Espanyol B, and Orihuela Vélez. Orihuela closes a busy schedule with a home clash against the formidable Águilas on matchday 11.
On the flip side, the season will end for Alicante’s teams with their final regular-season games on home soil: Hércules hosting Lleida, La Nucía welcoming Badalona, and Orihuela finishing against San Roque de Lepe at Los Arcos.