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Fullname: Álex Valle Gómez
aka: Álex Valle, Alex Valle, Alex Valle Gomez
Born: 25 April 2004
Birthplace: Badalona, Spain
Signed: 28 August 2024 (1yr loan from Barcelona)
Left: 29 Jan 2025 (loan ended early, moved to Como on loan)
Position: Left-Back, Defender
Debut: Celtic 5-2 Falkirk, League Cup, 22 Sep 2024
Squad No.: 11
Internationals: […]
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Alex Valle arrived at Celtic on loan from Barcelona, who once again had a new golden generation of players who were soon to make their mark. A highly rated youth player (with “tremendous attributes” according to Brendan Rodgers), he actually penned a new deal with Barcelona prior to arriving and came on loan to Celtic without a purchase agreement in place (much to the chagrin of some of the support).
On paper, a decent player technically but with still a lot to work on. Greg Taylor was the incumbent left-back, and had effortlessly overcome previous challenges, so Valle had to work for the position.
Alex Valle arrived on loan from the much lauded Barcelona stable as an aspiring footballer, but was not expected to make it into their highly praised first team at this stage.
With Bernabei mostly written off by the Celtic support, there were calls for a back up for the right back slot for Greg Taylor, and loanee Valle appeared to be pulling a white rabbit out of a hat. Despite the coaching pedigree, Valle had to acknowledge that Taylor had already overcome various challenges from Bernabei, Laxalt and Bolingoli to retain his slot, so Valle had to work for his place.
Valle made his debut v second tier Falkirk in the league cup (Sep 2024), and admittedly the feedback was that he was very rusty on the day (and partly liable for the conceded goals) albeit he did create an assist. When, he was subbed off for Taylor, the team shape changed for the better and Celtic romped home to win 5-2 when incredibly Celtic went behind twice during the game. At least it gave him an early example of the challenge ahead. He quickly made up for it, with a deft touch back heel for an assist to lay off the ball to Idah to seal a 6-0 win v St Johnstone in the league (Sep 2024). It demonstrated his potential, and that he could come on to a game for Celtic.
Once Taylor was out injured in October 2024, it gave Valle a run of games. After a shakey start he proved some value, albeit more for his attacking runs than defensively, but clearly he had talent. When it came to matches in the Champions League, there was often a split in the support over whether Valle or Taylor should start. Taylor won out with the manager, but in fairness Taylor proved himself as Celtic went on to qualify through the newly expanded Champions League group setup of 32 teams, reaching the playoffs.
Valle was to be used ad hoc coming off the bench, but there were few if any key moments to highlight any major contributions for the side. He had proven at least some potential but little else, with some opinions a little blindsided by his parent club’s badge.
He was though undeniably a decent prospect, and especially in time once he had matured and gained further experience in the game, but he was only contracted at Celtic for a single season. At this stage, he was still a raw talent, but the experience of playing for Celtic in the Champions League and in a tough competitive League Cup final could definitely build up his career. He also should be respected for his contributions as Celtic were well on the road to another league title on top of the league cup title already won.
Out of the blue, rumours began as early as November 2024 that Barcelona wanted to recall Valle back early in January 2025, but these were soon scorched. However, once reports began about Tierney to return to Celtic, it didn’t bode well for Valle. Taylor was the preferred left-back between the pair of them at hand during the first half of the season, but Tierney was never going to return to Celtic to play third fiddle.
Valle’s loan spell at Celtic was mutually ended in January 2025, midway through his 1 year spell, and he moved to Como in Italy once again on loan.
We wished him the best, we hardly got to know him.
Post-Celtic
[….]
Quotes
“I’m really happy. I think it’s a good group and it’s an opportunity to be competitive, and we will face it all with hard work.”
Alex Valle (Aug 2024)
“If I had to pick one thing that has surprised me I would choose that the club is maybe even bigger than I thought. I thought it wasn’t quite so big & I didn’t expect such an atmosphere like the one at Paradise.”
Alex Valle (Oct 2024)
“Both I and the team in general are in very good dynamics. I am very happy and I think the team is spectacular. It is a great prize to end the year. Barça has always been my home. This would be my eleventh season, so I have a special affection for it. In the end they are football circumstances and everyone does what they can. I am very grateful for everything that has happened to me and I is happening in life. I follow the present and I enjoy it, what happens next will be what has to happen. I consider that I have improved and I will improve in other aspects in these coming months in the Scottish football.”
Alex Valle speaking to on the Spanish radio station Cadena SER (via Mundo Deportivo) (Dec 2024)
“Dear Celtic and Celtic fans, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join such a big and historic club like Celtic. I’ve made my Champions League debut and I have won the first title of my professional career. It was short but I tried to enjoy and give my best every day for the badge and for its amazing fans, massive part of the club. Thanks again for everything. Hail Hail – Alex Valle”
Alex Valle goodbye on Instagram (Jan 2025)
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (starts & subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2024-25 | 7 (4) | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 (4) | 10 (9) |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
- [2024-25, edit at end of season…]
Scottish League Cup
Pictures
Forums
Notes
- Amassed around 1000 minutes of on-field play in his half season at Celtic.
Articles
Celtic confirm first new outfield signing as Brendan Rodgers hails player with ‘tremendous attributes’
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-confirm-first-new-outfield-signing-as-brendan-rodgers-hails-player-with-tremendous-attributes-4758894
By Matthew Elder Deputy Sports Editor
Published 28th Aug 2024, 10:06 BST
Updated 28th Aug 2024, 11:25 BST
Defender arrives on season-long loan deal
It has taken them until 62 hours before the transfer deadline but Celtic have finally secured their first new outfield signing of the summer window.
The Parkhead side have already brought in goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo to replace the outgoing Joe Hart and Benjamin Siegrist as well as bringing back Paolo Bernardo and Adam Idah on permanent deals following their loan spells with the club last season.
There have also been departures with Matt O’Riley’s £26m move to Brighton, Gustaf Lagerbielke’s loan move to FC Twente and the sale of Hyeon-gyu Oh to Genk leaving the Celtic squad in a weaker state than it finished last season.
However, a surge of incomings are expected in the final throes of the transfer window and the first of those has been confirmed with the arrival of left-back Alex Valle on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
The highly-rated 20-year-old, who penned a new deal with the Catalan club in recent days, has represented Spain at various age groups up to and including Under-20 level.
He joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 10 and started playing for their B team in 2022. After a six-month loan spell at Andorra, he spent last season on loan at Levante in the Spanish second tier.
This season he has been part of the Barcelona first-team squad, and he was on the bench for their opening two La Liga fixtures.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes he has acquired a player with “tremendous attributes”.
“We’re delighted to have landed Alex on this season-long loan as we continue to strengthen the squad for the season ahead,” he told the Celtic website. “His footballing style will complement our attacking play as well as giving us more options in our backline.
“Alex has been brought up in a real high-quality footballing environment learning all the good habits and skills associated with any top team. He is a player with some tremendous attributes.
“He has performed really well for Levante last season, been around Barcelona’s first team this year already and he is a welcome and quality addition to our squad.”
Valle’s first task will be to dislodge Greg Taylor as Celtic’s first-choice left-back, which will be no easy task with the Scotland international showing impressive form so far this season.
“I’m very excited, it’s a great opportunity to come to this historic club,” Valle said. “They have given me a lot of confidence to come here, so I will try to do my best to return the confidence.
“I’ve heard a lot about the fans and and what we can experience in this stadium, so I’m just excited to see it in real life.”
Valle revealed that discussions with Rodgers were a crucial factor in his move to Glasgow.
He added: “The manager gave me a lot of confidence to come here. He told me that he has watched some games in Barca and Levante, so I’m really happy to be here and looking forward to training with the team.
“I would say this way of playing is the best for my style and for what I like. I’ve been learning it in the Barca academy, so I’m looking forward to playing.”
‘AWESOME,’ COLD COMFORT FOR NEW BHOY
https://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/awesome-cold-comfort-for-new-bhoy/
By CQN Magazine on 11th October 2024 Latest News
BARCELONA kid Alex Valle has only been at Celtic for 44 days, but has already played in THREE different competitions.
The 20-year-old left-back made his first start when he was pitched in against Falkirk in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final at Parkhead.
It was an eye-opener for the attack-minded defender who signed a season-long loan deal from the Catalan giants near the end of August.
Valle struggled and was withdrawn in the 61st minute with Greg Taylor taking his place as Brendan Rodgers revamped his starting line-up to transform a 2-1 deficit to the Championship outfit to a 5-2 triumph.
GETTING TO GRIPS…Alex Valle’s progress is impended by Ross County’s Noah Chilvers.
The Spaniard made another appearance as a substitute for the injured Taylor in Dortmund with the visitors already 5-1 adrift in a Champions League mauling that saw the Germans eventually settle for a 7-1 victory.
And Valle must have wondered if things could get better as the champions struggled in Dingwall five days later with Ross County a goal ahead with 14 of the regulation 90 minutes to play.
Thankfully, Alistair Johnston diverted in a drive from Callum McGregor for the equaliser and Nicolas Kuhn curled in a memorable winner as the clock ticked down.
It’s all been fairly breathtaking for the youngster who is hoping to make another appearance when the Hoops face fellow-Premiership pacesetters Aberdeen in a crucial showdown at Parkhead a week tomorrow.
Valle remains unfazed as he says: “If I had to pick one thing that has surprised me I would choose that the club is maybe even bigger than I thought.
“I didn’t think it was quite so big and I didn’t expect such an atmosphere like the one at Paradise. The level of the game here in training and in each game, as well, is awesome.
“So, I’m really happy. I like living in Scotland although the weather is getting worse every day. But I have to wait until November, December. They told me that!
“It’s a good city, it’s a really good city and I’m enjoying it. So I’m happy personally.”
As well as appearances in Europe’s most prestigious competition, the Premiership and the League Cup, the stylish back-four operator also turned out in the midweek friendly encounter where Rodgers’ men beat Sligo Rovers 3-2 in Ireland.
Reflecting on how he is settling into his new team’s system, Valle, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Celtic play a style of football that everyone knows is different from the standards of nowadays.
“So, mixing that with playing in a more physical league, I think I’ve been settling in here very well. I’m feeling confident.
“I’m just trying to adapt, to follow the instructions. I’m trying to see what I do wrong in every game, in every training session, so that I can be better. I knew already when I came here that there were lots of matches, but it’s great for a young player like me.
“I want the most minutes I can get.
“There are a lot of contrasting games, that actually explains it really well. We have played in a lot of different places in the last few weeks in the league, in the Cup and in Europe.
“It was a bit step by step. I started in the Cup, trying to see where my position was, to be better. Then I came into the Champions League and then into the league. I’m trying to feel better every game.”
Valle also thanked Taylor, his rival for the No.3 shirt, for helping him settle in and added: “I don’t know Greg’s situation. I don’t actually mind.
“I just try to work for myself, and if I have the opportunity to play, I will give my best every game. I don’t mind if it’s Aberdeen or if it’s another team.
“For me, every weekend, I try my best and that’s it. It’s a healthy competition. Greg has helped me a lot since I came here. Obviously, for the position, he can advise me really well.
“He’s a really good friend.”
The best of enemies will be in direct competition for the left-back slot when the unbeaten Dons visit the east end of Glasgow in eight days’ time.
Alex Valle says his Celtic goodbyes, as €6m summer price tag revealed
Alex Valle says his Celtic goodbyes, as €6m summer price tag revealed
By David Faulds 29 January, 2025 No Comments
Alex Valle
Alex Valle with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay
Alex Valle will have a medical today at Como ahead of a loan deal to the mid-table Serie A side. Brendan Rodgers yesterday confirmed that Valle had left Celtic and last night the player posted an emotional message on his social media channel thanking Celtic and the Celtic support…
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Alex Valle
Alex Valle. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Alex Valle was back in Barcelona yesterday afternoon after bringing his season-long loan deal with Celtic to a pre-mature conclusion.
As we have reported previously Valle signed a one-year contract extension with Barcelona before heading to Celtic in the summer. This deal also included a ‘small’ buy-out clause which is around €6m at it appears that Como are prepared to pay this in the summer.
Fabrizio Romano explained yesterday via his social media accounts:
“Alex Valle has €6m release clause into his contract at Barcelona from next summer, valid for all clubs. Como’s loan move will be until June then they can agree terms with player’s side but it’s not specific option to buy clause. Cesc Fabregas, key to make it happen.” Fabrizio Romano
🇪🇸 Alex Valle has €6m release clause into his contract at Barcelona from next summer, valid for all clubs.
Como’s loan move will be until June then they can agree terms with player’s side but it’s not specific option to buy clause.
Cesc Fabregas, key to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/Z9bAHyU93k
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 28, 2025
Alex Valle
Alex Valle. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Changing circumstances at Celtic
Brendan Rodgers recently explained at a media conference attended by The Celtic Star, that part of his side of the deal in bringing Valle to Celtic as to commit to game-time for the player and that changing circumstances at Celtic meant that this would be limited for the remainder of the season. So Celtic were a party to this decision and did not have it forced upon them.
Yesterday at his media conference at Villa Park ahead of this evening’s Champions League match against Aston Villa, Brendan confirmed that Valle had left the club and won’t play again for the Hoops.
“Alex won’t play again, sadly”
The Celtic manager explained: “Alex won’t play again, sadly. He’s in Barcelona now at the moment and he will probably then move on to another team.
“So, yes, again, another young player that’s contributed really well for us, played nearly 20 appearances for us, played in some very important games, made his Champions League debut. Especially in Atalanta, he was fantastic, played in really important games. So, we’re disappointed that he’s left, but we have to move on.”
Rodgers also confirmed for the first time that a pre-contract agreement with Kieran Tierney was now in place and that the club would like to bring KT in on loan until the end of the season, with talks between the club still ongoing. If that doesn’t happen it looks like Greg Taylor will play with back-up from Liam Scales and Adam Montgomery who has been training with the first team.
Alex Valle against Atlanta
Alex Valle competes for the ball with Marten De Roon during the UEFA Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Alex Valle meanwhile said his own goodbyes to Celtic last night via a post on Instagram.
Dear Celtic and Celtic fans, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join such a big and historic club like Celtic. I’ve made my Champions League debut and I have won the first title of my professional career. It was short but I tried to enjoy and give my best every day for the badge and for its amazing fans, massive part of the club. Thanks again for everything. Hail Hail – Alex Valle
🇪🇸 | 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢
Dear @celticfc and Celtic fans,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to join such a big and historic club like Celtic.
I’ve made my Champions League debut and I have won the first title of my professional career.
It was… pic.twitter.com/im2bYF4jHf
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) January 28, 2025
A post shared by 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆🌪 (@alexxv_8)
It’s clear that Alex Valle would have been a viable signing option for Celtic but with Kieran Tierney returning to the club now confirmed the chances of first team football would have been reduced significantly. It probably mirrors Greg Taylor’s position in that he has been the first pick Celtic left-back for five years basically and doesn’t fancy doing the Tony Ralston role on the other side of the pitch.
Yet with Tierney’s fitness concerns always a factor it would make sense to rotate the two and surely Brendan can sell this idea to Taylor, who is out of contract in the summer. Hopefully he signs on.