Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Spanish side Villarreal.
The 22-year-old recently concluded 12 months in the MLS with FC Cincinnati, where he played the full 2023 campaign, turning out 35 times across all competitions and scoring on three occasions.
Having returned to Molineux, Mosquera featured as an unused substitute in Wolves’ two Emirates FA Cup ties with Brentford and on Monday night at Brighton & Hove Albion, after making his debut for the club back in September 2021.
Now he links up Goncalo Guedes at Villarreal, who travel to Barcelona on Saturday, when Mosquera could make his debut.
Sporting director Matt Hobbs said: “Yerson had a fantastic loan at Cincinnati, being one of the highest performing centre backs in the league. What we’ve seen really excites us for next season. It was a difficult decision, as we could have kept him around, but we wanted him to get a bit more football week in, week out, ready to come back and fight for a starting spot next season.
“He’s going to a big club, in a good league, with big games, which should secure more international football for him, so it’s almost a finishing school, before he comes back to compete here. It’s a challenge – settling, getting used to a different league, a difference pace and type of football to the MLS. A player who can adapt and react quickly becomes a very well-rounded player, which will help us in the future.
“Yerson’s extremely popular with the players here and they’ve been really impressed with how he’s returned – on and off the pitch he’s matured. He understands the role better and his ability with one versus one defending has improved, which the players have commented on. Everyone’s been impressed by him, Gary, the players and the staff.”
A fixture at the heart of the Cincinnati defence, the Colombian featured during their play-off campaign in the autumn, scoring in the quarter final against Philadelphia, before they bowed out with a semi-final defeat to Columbus after extra time – experiences which aided his progress.
“We’ve been very happy with his development. Cincinnati were great with him and we now have a strong relationship with them. They have outstanding facilities and worked hard with him, so have played a big role in it. Our staff went to visit him regularly and the loan department watched his games, so he’s had excellent support and knows he’s important for our future. It’s worked fantastically well.
“Now, go there, play, keep developing, and come back in the summer and we expect for him to compete for our team in the Premier League. The plan is the same, he had high potential when we signed him, and it’s been enhanced with what he’s done and the player he’s grown into. Come back in pre-season and fight to get in Gary’s team.”
