2025 was supposed to be a true breakout year for Spanish youngster and new Newcastle signing Antonio Cordero.
Joining on a free transfer from Malaga, after beating the likes Real Madrid and Barcelona to his signature, Cordero looked to have all the tools and momentum to be a future star.
But a nightmare spell out on loan at struggling Belgian side KV Westerlo has forced us to re-evaluate the youngster, and his stint in Belgium looks set to be ended prematurely, with a new loan lined up.
Cordero set for Spain return
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle have agreed a deal with Spanish second division side Cadiz CF over a loan move for Antonio Cordero.
Writing on X, Romano posted “Cádiz agree loan deal to sign Antonio Cordero from Newcastle as Westerlo loan deal has been interrupted. Cádiz win race to sign talented winger, as #NUFC sources confirm.”
It brings to an end a truly torrid time spent on the bench at Westerlo for the attacker: from 18 possible league appearances, Cordero recorded just seven cameos from the bench, amounting to less than 90 minutes of action.
The 19-year-old shone for Malaga in this exact same league, so this will be the perfect opportunity for him to excel and rebuild some lost momentum with Cadiz, who are pushing for promotion.
What was the plan with Cordero?
When we signed Cordero, he was arriving with real hype. It was seen as a major coup that he chose the Newcastle project over a move to one of the top clubs in Spain.
There was also talk of him being immediately loaned to Ajax in the Eredivisie, but he ended up in Belgium with KVC Westerlo; a club that has done him little favours over a nightmare six months for his development.
So once again, we have to ask what the short term plan was for Cordero? He must’ve been promised game time when the move took place, but it hasn’t happened.
Whilst a return to his home country and old stomping ground will be good for Cordero, next time, maybe keeping him within the academy and u-21 set up would have been the best move to begin with.