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22 years old and at 6ft5 he is hardly a small lad. But the Spanish under-21 goalkeeper has signed for the club on a 6 month loan deal to help lighten the load for Ali Al Habsi, especially after the rocky season he has been having.
Joel comes to the club after a similar loan last season at Rayo Vallencano where he made 13 appearances, and impressed during his time there. Rayo where believed to want to take him back, but Athletico do not want to lose the goalkeeper. First choice Thibaut Courtois on loan from Chelsea, Joel is thought to be their long term plan, or their way to sign Courtois if some pays up.
An option to buy the player come the end of the six months has rumoured to be in the deal. Yet any such deal would mean a fee of about 8 million, and I can't see us paying that much for him. The other rumour around the deal is that we get first say if we want a loan again for next season, that I can believe.
So welcome to the blue and white army Joel, his first appearance I imagine will be against Macclesfield in the FA Cup in the upcoming weekend.