Club Atlético Osasuna's squad for the 2026-27 season strikes a deliberate balance between experienced veterans and promising young talent, featuring ten players aged 30 or over. A report from Diario de Navarra on Wednesday reveals the Pamplona-based side has the second-highest average age in La Liga, trailing only Rayo Vallecano. Managed by Luis Ramis, Osasuna currently sits eighth in the standings with seven points from their first four matches.
What is the profile of Osasuna's squad?
The official first-team roster lists 24 players. Ten of them are 30 years old or older, accounting for 41 percent of the total. The eldest are goalkeeper Aitor Fernández and striker Ante Budimir, both 35. They are followed by Diego Rico, Sergio Herrera, and Rubén García at 33. Moi Gómez and Lucas Torró are 32, Alejandro Catena is 31, and Del Castillo and Rosier are 30. Kike Barja will turn 30 during the campaign. At the other end of the spectrum, the youngest players are Iñigo Arguibide and Mauro Echegoyen, born in 2005. The squad's average age is over 28 years.
What do the club's decision-makers say?
Sporting director Braulio Vázquez acknowledges that a rejuvenation process will be gradual. "Little by little we will move towards a transformation, but not only at Osasuna, but at all teams." he stated. Head coach Luis Ramis views the blend positively. "They all have a balance. Age also gives you a lot of maturity, wisdom, and calm in difficult moments that appear in a season," he explained. Ramis added that the veteran players "while they respond physically and mentally, can continue to give things to the collective."
How does Osasuna compare to other La Liga teams?
The analysis positions Osasuna as the second-oldest squad in the Spanish top flight. Rayo Vallecano, in first place, has eight players aged 30 or over. Other clubs show lower figures: Betis has nine, Real Sociedad two, and Racing de Santander just one. This comparison highlights the distinctive profile of the red-and-blue squad in the current league landscape. The summer departures of veterans like Javi Galán (31) and Juan Cruz (33) did not substantially alter this trend.
What is the future for the veteran players?
Six of the footballers over 30 will have made more than 250 appearances for Osasuna by the end of this season. Regarding contracts, a significant group sees their deals expire in June 2027. This includes Aitor Fernández, Moi Gómez, Rubén García, Lucas Torró, Diego Rico, and Ante Budimir. Others, like Alejandro Catena, Rosier, Sergio Herrera, and Del Castillo, have agreements until 2028. The club trusts their experience will remain an asset while younger talent develops, including the eight players under 25 listed in the squad.
What is the current competitive context?
Osasuna approaches the early season with a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss. They have scored five goals and conceded six. The next fixture is a home match against Espanyol on Saturday, September 12. The visiting side sits twelfth in the table. For that game, the coaching staff must manage the injuries to Aimar Oroz, Jorge Herrando, and Moi Gómez. The clash with Espanyol will be the next test for a team aiming to consolidate its position in the upper-mid section of the table.
