Deportes Concepción gears up for its return to Chile's Primera División after a long absence, with an ambitious signing of 12 players and the support of coach Patricio Almendra. The southern club has implemented a meticulous talent scouting process from several countries to bolster its structure. Fans show great excitement for consolidating in the top category.
On December 7, Deportes Concepción broke a curse that had lasted since 2008, when it was relegated from Primera División, including the club's disaffiliation in 2016. That day, in Calama, the team promoted, starting a new era from scratch in national football. Now, the people from Penquista are excited about a high-level squad for the next season.
Under the direction of Patricio Almendra, who led the historic promotion campaign, the club has added 12 reinforcements: Matías Cavalleri, Leonardo Valencia, Jorge Henríquez, Misael Dávila, Cristián Suárez, Ignacio Mesías, César Dutra, Ethan Espinoza, Javier Rojas, Aldrix Jara, Norman Rodríguez, and Mauricio Vera. These signings reflect intense work by the technical secretariat.
Aiderson Abreu, from the technical area, explains the method: “During the year the technical secretariat collects information based on scenarios. At this moment, the technical secretariat follows five countries plus references from other countries that reach us”. A standout case is goalkeeper César Dutra, champion of the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo and coming from Portugal's Boavista. “César's case came to us through an agent. We evaluated him, talked to him, saw that it was possible, and managed to close it”, details Abreu.
Fan support has been key, with historic attendances and collections in matches against Copiapó and Cobreloa. Abreu adds: “Fan support has always been there. There's a lot of excitement for the work being done. The challenge is to continue growing institutionally to keep competing at a good level, understanding that this year we must consolidate in the category, a fairly complex task”. Additionally, an increase in income is expected thanks to multidisciplinary commercial work: “We estimate an increase in income as well. Good work is being done at the commercial level, added to the rest of the pillars that make up the club”.
This approach aims not only to compete but to consolidate the club in Primera División.
