FC Andorra bolsters defense with experienced centre-back Édgar González on loan from Almería until season's

**FC Andorra confirms Édgar González loan signing and Merquelanz departure amid squad reshuffle**

FC Andorra has officially signed centre-back Édgar González on loan from UD Almería until the end of the season, while agreeing to terminate forward Martín Merquelanz's contract to manage squad quotas.

The 27-year-old from Sallent, born on 1 April 1997, arrives as the club's second winter addition following midfielder Yeray Cabanzón's loan from Racing de Santander, which includes an optional purchase clause. González brings substantial experience, with 87 appearances in Primera División and 70 in Segunda División. He won the 2022 Copa del Rey with Real Betis—where he made 80 appearances, including four in UEFA Europa League—before Almería signed him for €4.5 million in summer 2023 on a deal until 2028. After playing in LaLiga and LaLiga Hypermotion, he spent the first half of this season on loan at Hajduk Split, appearing in six league matches.

González started at Barça Escola Alumni, then moved to UE Cornellà and RCD Espanyol's youth ranks alongside players such as Javi Puado and Pol Lirola. He debuted with Cornellà in Segunda B and joined Betis in 2018. There, coach Rubi repositioned him as a defensive midfielder for his Primera bow against Valencia, while Quique Setién had given him a Copa del Rey outing earlier. A loan at Real Oviedo yielded three goals in 37 games. He is the son of former Espanyol striker Lluís González, part of the 1990s forward line with Xavier Escaich and Korneiev. Notable strikes include one at Camp Nou exploiting a Marc-André ter Stegen mistake and a long-range effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga at Santiago Bernabéu.

Merquelanz, signed as a free agent from Irun in the summer, leaves after immigration quota issues delayed his debut until late October. The winger scored and assisted in his Copa del Rey start against Valle de Egüés and performed well in his only league game at Huesca, though injuries limited him to two appearances total. He will continue training with Andorra until securing a new club. With quotas full following Cabanzón's arrival, officials anticipate at least one more departure. Gerard Piqué directs operations from the board.

Separately, next opponent CD Mirandés dismissed coach Jesús Galván after two months, with one win, two draws and six defeats in nine games across league and cup. Antxón Muneta takes interim charge, debuting Sunday against Andorra.