Calleja cancels Villarreal departure
Friday, August 26, 2005
Article summary
Midfield player Javier Calleja has returned to Spanish outfit Villarreal CF only days after both parties agreed to end his contract.
Article body
Standard setback
Calleja, who had a year left on his deal with the Spanish club, had been holding talks with R. Standard de Liège but has now rejoined Villarreal after negotiations with the Belgian side broke down. The 27-year-old had been told by Villarreal coach Manuel Luis Pellegrini that he faced limited opportunities at El Madrigal.
Ligament injury
Calleja started out with Real Madrid CF before spending a season apiece with RSD Alcalá and CD Onda, then signing for Villarreal in 2000. He struggled to regain his first-team place after suffering cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in Villarreal's UEFA Intertoto Cup second-round tie against Odense BK in July 2004.
