Introduction
The homegrown player, Olympic champion in Paris, and U-21 international with Spain, will remain tied to his lifelong club for at least the next three seasons
Main Body
Juanlu Sánchez has signed the extension of his contract as a player for Sevilla FC. The academy product, who in 2022 secured his connection with the club until 2026, has now sealed the extension of the agreement for three more seasons, specifically until June 30, 2029. Hailing from Utrera since the age of 12, Juanlu quickly stood out and in 2015 became the champion of the currently named LALIGA FUTURES tournament in the youth category. After progressing through the youth and cadet stages, the pivotal moment in his formative years came in 2019 when he made the direct leap from Cadete A to Sevilla Atlético under the guidance of Paco Gallardo. At just 16 years old, he played 15 games in Segunda B, but that season was just the beginning of his steps forward.
Following the league hiatus due to the pandemic, Julen Lopetegui included him in the group of academy players working in the ‘bubble’ of the first team, which allowed him to witness firsthand the conclusion of that season and the concentration in Germany that culminated in the sixth UEFA Europa League triumph in Cologne. After being called up for several Champions League matches and solidifying his place with the reserve team in the following season, his official debut came in the 2021/22 season, both in the Copa del Rey against Andratx and in LALIGA against Barcelona at Nervión.
Despite being only 19 years old at the time, Juanlu was loaned out in the summer of 2022 to CD Mirandés, where he had a standout season playing 38 games, scoring two goals, and providing five assists. He earned his return to the first team, where he has been a regular competitor in the last two seasons. Today, at just 21 years old, he has accumulated 66 official matches, scoring six goals and providing seven assists. A five-time U-21 international, he capped off his remarkable journey with the Olympic gold he won last summer at the Paris Games, where he played a pivotal role with his goal against Morocco that secured a spot in the final and, consequently, the medal.
