UD Las Palmas have officially signed Italian centre-back Giovanni Bonfanti. The player arrives on loan from Atalanta BC with a purchase option, as reported by Marca last Saturday, August 9th.
Bonfanti will join training this week and could be available for next Sunday's match against Albacete Balompié. Manager Rubén de la Barrera was seeking reinforcement for his defensive line and the club has moved quickly in the market. The 22-year-old Italian is noted for his aerial prowess and quality in playing out from the back, traits that fit the Galician coach's model.
What does Bonfanti bring to the defence?
Giovanni Bonfanti is a left-footed central defender standing 1.88m tall. His profile complements the defenders already in the UD Las Palmas squad. According to our squad data, the team primarily had Marc Cardona and Álvaro Lemos as options at centre-back. Bonfanti's arrival adds depth and a natural left foot, something the coaching staff valued.
His signing is not an isolated operation. Sporting director Luis Alguera has been very active in the Italian market. The club's idea is to bring in another player of that nationality, specifically a winger named Cherubini. This is part of a strategy to give the team greater tactical variety for a long Segunda División season.
How does he fit the immediate schedule?
The signing comes at a key moment. UD Las Palmas faces a run of three matches in eleven days. After the game against Albacete, the team will travel to face Real Oviedo and then host CD Tenerife in the Canary Islands derby. You can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The possibility of an early debut is real because he is already on the island. His adaptation will be quick and the manager trusts he can provide solidity from the start. Defence has been an area of focus after the early stages of the competition.
What do the squad numbers say?
The UD Las Palmas squad has an average age of 25.7 years. With Bonfanti's arrival, the club adds its second signing of the summer market, following the acquisition of midfielder Dani Romera. The purchase option included in the deal with Atalanta gives the project flexibility in the medium term.
The team currently occupies ninth place in the Segunda División standings, with eight points from five matchdays. A look at the standings shows the gap to the promotion spots is just three points. Defensive solidity will be key to maintaining progress up the table.
Bonfanti and his teammates' next test is Sunday, August 17th at 18:00 at the Estadio Gran Canaria.
