Miguel Rodríguez is departing FC Utrecht after two seasons in the Eredivisie. The Spanish winger has agreed to join Alavés in a transfer that will see the La Liga club pay €5 million for his services. However, Utrecht's financial gain from the deal is significantly reduced due to shared ownership agreements negotiated during his arrival from Celta de Vigo.
The 26-year-old right winger initially arrived at Utrecht on loan in 2022 and impressed sufficiently in his debut campaign that the Dutch club moved to secure a permanent deal. Last summer, Utrecht paid €2.5 million to Celta de Vigo for the player, but crucially, the Spanish club retained 50 per cent of his transfer rights. This means that while Alavés' €5 million fee represents strong commercial value, Utrecht will only pocket €2.5 million from the transaction, effectively receiving the same amount they invested twelve months earlier.
Injury Concerns Cloud Final Chapter
Rodríguez's exit comes after a frustrating 2024–25 campaign blighted by recurring injury problems. The winger struggled to maintain fitness throughout the season, limiting his impact in Utrecht's attacking play. Despite the setbacks, his overall contribution across 64 appearances for the club remains respectable, with 15 goals and four assists demonstrating his attacking quality when available. His departure represents a fresh start for both player and club as Alavés look to bolster their squad options ahead of the final stretch of the La Liga season.
Utrecht will now redirect their attention to reinforcing other areas of their squad, while Rodríguez aims to rediscover his best form in Spanish football after navigating an injury-riddled spell in the Netherlands.
