The Lagunero club announced on Saturday the agreement with the Basque forward, who arrives free after his time at Valencia Basket. The 29-year-old player signs for two seasons with an option for a third.
CB Canarias officially confirmed on Saturday the arrival of Xabi López-Arostegui, a 2.00-meter tall player who strengthens the aurinegro perimeter. The 29-year-old Spanish international signs for two seasons with an option for another, coming from Valencia Basket, where he won the ACB League and the Supercopa Endesa this season. The agreement, finalised days ago, represents a key move for the team led by Jaka Lakovic.
López-Arostegui has extensive experience in the Liga Endesa, with 262 games played between Joventut Badalona (2016-21) and Valencia (2021-26). In the last league season, he averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, figures that reflect his solidity on both ends of the court. Additionally, he has played 66 games in the Euroleague and 70 in the Eurocup, providing valuable continental experience for the Lagunero project.
A versatile player with international credentials
Xabi López-Arostegui (Getxo, 1997) stands out not only for his ability to play as a shooting guard or small forward but also for being a national training player, a position increasingly valued in the ACB market. His defensive and offensive versatility fits into Lakovic's scheme, with whom he previously worked in Badalona when the Slovenian was an assistant coach. The aurinegro coach knows the player well, which facilitated the operation.
Throughout his career, the Biscayan has been included twice in the ACB Best Young Quintet (2018 and 2019) and was named the best small forward in the Liga Endesa in the 2020-21 season, being part of the Best Quintet of the year. With the Spanish national team, he has played 41 official matches, being an Olympian in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and a European champion in 2022. He also won gold at the U16 Eurobasket in 2013.
Impact on the squad and Lagunera fans
The arrival of López-Arostegui strengthens a perimeter that already includes names like Marcelinho Huertas and Bruno Fitipaldo, adding a physical and defensive profile that the club was seeking. His incorporation could facilitate the departure of Joan Sastre, according to sources close to the club, although the sports management has not confirmed this. The new aurinegro player joins a project aiming to establish itself in the upper echelons of the ACB and compete for European spots.
For CB Canarias fans, signing a Spanish international in the prime of his career is exciting news. XLA arrives with the title of league champion and experience in finals, which always adds value to young locker rooms. The club expects to officially present him at Santiago Martín in the coming days, once he passes the medical examination.
The transfer market in the ACB continues to move, and CB Canarias has made a significant statement. With this reinforcement, La Laguna Tenerife is preparing for a demanding season, aiming to improve on last season's fifth place in the Regular League. Meanwhile, the fans are already dreaming of seeing López-Arostegui dressed in yellow next season.
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