Sergi Altimira Clavell

Sergi Altimira came through the ranks at CF Cardedeu before spending seven years in Barcelona's La Masia academy, without ever making an appearance for the club's reserve side. He rebuilt his career at CE Sabadell, breaking into senior football with the Catalan club and going out on loan to EC Granollers for a season along the way. A free transfer took him to Getafe in the summer, but he never featured for them — instead, Real Betis paid his €2 million release clause weeks later to bring him to Andalusia.

That move worked out. He followed that with a season of 40 appearances and two goals.

That summer, Sporting CP paid €22 million, split between a fixed fee and add-ons, to sign him on a long-term contract carrying an €80 million buyout clause.