Ugalde joins Veszprem

Hungarian champions and VELUX EHF Champions League participants MKB Veszprem have underlined their ambitions for the future: after signing Spanish coach Carlos Ortega as successor to Lajos Mocsai and signing line player Marco Oneto from Barcelona.

On top of both of those top signings they have bought yet another top star to Veszprem: left wing Christian Ugalde arrives in Hungary from FC Barcelona Intersport signing a three year contract at Lake Balaton.

“I am looking forward to a new experience outside Spain, and I have no doubt that such steps will bring me forward as a player,” the Spanish international was quoted as saying in the Spanish media.

His successor in Barcelona will be Slovak Martin Stranovsky, arriving from Ademar Leon.

MKB Veszprem still hope to sign Barcelona top star Laszlo Nagy, who will leave the VELUX EHF Champions League record winner at the latest in 2013.

Wearing the Hungarian shirt in the World Champions play-offs – despite having a Spanish passport since April – Nagy has shown his ambitions for Hungarian handball.

Ugalde is not the only Spanish top player to leave Liga Asobal: Isaias Guardiola from VELUX EHF Champions League finalist Atletico Madrid and his twin brother Gedeon (Portland San Antonia) will join German side Rhein Neckar Löwen on two year contracts.

“It was our dream to go to Germany,” Isaias is quoted as saying on the Rhein Neckar Löwen website.