UD Las Palmas have completed the signing of Jefté Betancor on a free transfer after his exit from Olympiacos. The Gran Canaria-born striker, raised in Vecindario, has fulfilled his dream of playing for the yellows alongside Jesé Rodríguez, forming a 100% Canarian duo that thrills the fans.
What happened with Jefté Betancor?
Olympiacos showed no interest in retaining Betancor for this season, and José Luis Mendilibar’s stance made his departure easier. At 33, Betancor stood firm on joining UD Las Palmas under Rubén de la Barrera, despite having a contract with Olympiacos until 2028. The Greek club finally relented, and the agreement between all three parties -player, UD Las Palmas, and Olympiacos- is now complete, according to sources close to the deal.
Interest from other Segunda División sides like Oviedo or Albacete -where he scored 18 goals last season (14 in league, 4 in Copa del Rey, including one against Real Madrid)- did not sway his decision. Betancor arrives at a crucial moment: UD Las Palmas sit 5th in Segunda División with 73 points (20W-13D-9L from 42 games, recent form DLWDW) as they push for promotion to LaLiga EA Sports.
Why this signing matters for UD Las Palmas
The arrival comes amid high expectations. The team has scored 57 goals and conceded 40 (+17 goal difference), but still trails leaders Racing Santander by 9 points. With a young and ambitious squad, manager De la Barrera is betting on strengthening the attack to add more balance.
The club avoided repeating the Raúl Lizoain scenario, when delays in Dinko Horkas’s exit pushed the goalkeeper to join Granada. This time, UD Las Palmas moved fast to secure Betancor before rivals like Albacete could reactivate their interest.
What’s next for the team?
Jefté Betancor will join the preseason in Marbella, where UD Las Palmas have already played two friendlies. The first was a tough physical test against Orlando Pirates, South African champions, and on Tuesday they face União Desportiva de Leiria, a Portuguese Segunda División side with a squad value of €8.45m (compared to the islanders’ €25.65m).
The club also plays the Trofeo Carranza against Cádiz on August 8, a clash that will measure the squad’s level before the league kicks off. Meanwhile, Rubén de la Barrera faces his first serious exam as UD Las Palmas manager, under pressure to keep the team in the top half and secure the points needed for promotion dreams.
