UD Almería

{{short description|Association football club in Spain}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Almería | image = UD Almeria logo.svg | image_size = 145px | fullname = Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. | nickname = ''Cowboys''<br> ''La Unión''<br> ''Almeriensistas''<br> ''Los Indálicos'' <br> ''Los Rojiblancos'' | shortname = ''UDA'' | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1989|7|26}} as ''Almería Club de Fútbol'' | ground = UD Almería Stadium | capacity = 17,400<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.udalmeriasad.com/club/datosdelclub/estadio-juegos-del-mediterraneo |title=Estadio Juegos del Mediterráneo |publisher=UD Almería |language=es |access-date=2020-01-14 |archive-date=2020-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024002903/http://www.udalmeriasad.com/club/datosdelclub/estadio-juegos-del-mediterraneo |url-status=dead }}</ref> | owner = SMC Group (75%)<br>CR7 Sports Investments (25%) | chairman = Mohammed Al-Khereiji | chrtitle = President | manager = Rubi | mgrtitle = Head coach | league = {{Spanish football updater|Almería}} | season = {{Spanish football updater|Almería2}} | position = {{Spanish football updater|Almería3}} | pattern_la1 = _almeria2526h | pattern_b1 = _almeria2526h | pattern_ra1 = _almeria2526h | pattern_sh1 = _almeria2526h | pattern_so1 = _almeria2526hl | leftarm1 = FF0000 | body1 = FF0000 | rightarm1 = FF0000 | shorts1 = FF0000 | socks1 = FFFFFF | pattern_la2 = _almeria2526a | pattern_b2 = _almeria2526a | pattern_ra2 = _almeria2526a | pattern_sh2 = _almeria2526a | pattern_so2 = _almeria2526al | leftarm2 = 1a202a | body2 = d8e8f7 | rightarm2 = 1a202a | shorts2 = d8e8f7 | socks2 = d8e8f7 | pattern_la3 = _almeria2526t | pattern_b3 = _almeria2526t | pattern_ra3 = _almeria2526t | pattern_sh3 = _almeria2526t | pattern_so3 = _almeria2526tl | leftarm3 = 000000 | body3 = 000000 | rightarm3 = 000000 | shorts3 = 000000 | socks3 = 000000 | current = 2025–26 UD Almería season | website = {{URL|http://www.udalmeriasad.com/|udalmeriasad.com}} }} '''Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D.''' ({{IPA|es|uˈnjon depoɾˈtiβ(a) almeˈɾi.a}}) is a Spanish professional football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 26 July 1989 and known as ''Almería Club de Fútbol'' until 2001, when it was renamed ''Unión Deportiva Almería''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.udalmeriasad.com/udalmeria/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=40 |title=Un club joven con un gran futuro |year=2007 |access-date=January 18, 2018 |work=UD Almeria SAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016221448/http://www.udalmeriasad.com/udalmeria/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=40 |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref> The club currently plays in the {{Spanish football updater|Almería}}, and plays their home games at the 17,400-seat capacity UD Almería Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.udalmeriasad.com/club//estadio-juegos-del-mediterraneo |title=Estadio Juegos del Mediterráneo |access-date=January 18, 2018 |work=UDA Almeria SAD |language=es |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119120427/http://www.udalmeriasad.com/club//estadio-juegos-del-mediterraneo |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos |url=http://udalmeria.ideal.es/estadio/ |access-date=January 18, 2018 |newspaper=Ideal |language=es |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126225756/https://udalmeria.ideal.es/estadio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History== The first football club in Almería was founded in 1909: Almería Foot-Ball Club.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=28 May 2017|title=1909: el año en el que nace el primer club de fútbol almeriense|url=https://www.ideal.es/almeria/201705/28/1909-nace-primer-club-20170527230622-v.html|journal=Ideal}}</ref> Since then, several Almería football clubs appeared and disappeared. One of them was AD Almería, a team that played in La Liga between 1979 and 1981, but disappeared in 1982, and was arguably UD Almería's predecessor.

In 1989, a club named ''Almería Club de Fútbol'' was born, but in 2001 was renamed ''Unión Deportiva Almería''. On 19 January 2001 the mayor of Almería Santiago Martínez Cabrejas announced in the city council that the new club UD Almería had been formed after the merger of two city teams - Polideportivo Almería and Almería CF.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.udalmeriasad.com/club/historia|title=La historia del Club {{!}} Almería - Web Oficial|website=La historia del Club {{!}} Almería - Web Oficial|language=es|access-date=2019-10-16|archive-date=2022-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817070949/https://www.udalmeriasad.com/club/historia|url-status=dead}}</ref> But UD Almería was not official until 28 June 2001, when Almería CF approved at the General Meeting of Shareholders the renaming.<ref name=":0" /> After playing one season in the second division, it was relegated to the third and the fourth divisions.

After spending several seasons in the second level, Almería side was first promoted to the top flight after finishing runner-up in the 2006–07 season. After some outstanding performances, as the away win against Deportivo de La Coruña 3–0 in the first La Liga match, the team achieved a final 8th league place in 2007–08.<ref name=":0" /> At the club's helm was coach Unai Emery, as striker Álvaro Negredo finished team topscorer with 13 goals. [[File:C.Ronaldo face à Antonio Luna Rodríguez et Fabián Vargas.jpg|thumb|left|UD Almería players facing Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (who later owns a part of the club) in 2011]] After Emery left for Valencia CF, Gonzalo Arconada stepped in,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20080701/gonzalo-arconada-firma-como-nuevo-entrenador-del-almeria-para-dos-proximas-temporadas/109650.shtml |title=Gonzalo Arconada firma como nuevo entrenador del Almería para las dos próximas temporadas |author=Europa Press |author-link=Europa Press (news agency) |date=1 July 2008 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española |language=es}}</ref> but was sacked on 21 December 2008, after a string of poor results, albeit without ever reaching the last three.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.diariodealmeria.es/deportes/Gonzalo-Arconada-destituido-entrenador-Almeria_0_215978627.html |title=Gonzalo Arconada, destituido como entrenador del Almería |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |date=21 December 2008 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=Diario de Almería |language=es |publisher=Grupo Joly}}</ref> Mexican Hugo Sánchez took the job, and fared slightly better, for a final mid-table position.

In 2010–11, Almería reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey for the first time ever.<ref name=":0" /> In the league, however, the club was finally relegated after a four-year spell in the top flight; in November 2010, coach Juan Manuel Lillo was fired after a 0–8 home loss against FC Barcelona (precisely the team that ousted the Andalusians in the domestic cup's last-four, with the same score, but on aggregate),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/lillo-destituido-almeria-879986/0/ |title=Juan Manuel Lillo es destituido como entrenador del Almería |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |date=20 November 2010 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=20 Minutos |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/2010/11/23/futbol/equipos/almeria/1290515671.html |title=Lillo se despide, junto a sus ayudantes, de la plantilla del Almería |author=Europa Press |author-link=Europa Press (news agency) |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=Marca |language=es |publisher=Unidad Editorial}}</ref> and his successor José Luis Oltra met the same fate,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/oltra-201011250000_noticia.html |title=El Almería se encomienda a Oltra |date=25 November 2010 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=ABC |language=es |publisher=Vocento}}</ref> in April 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://cadenaser.com/ser/2011/04/05/deportes/1301959695_850215.html |title=La UD Almería destituye a José Luis Oltra para salvarse en ocho jornadas |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=14 July 2020 |work=Cadena SER |language=es}}</ref> He was replaced by Roberto Olabe.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/liga/2011-04-05/roberto-olabe-sustituye-a-jose-luis-oltra-como-tecnico-de-la-ud-almeria_327283/ |title=Roberto Olabe sustituye a José Luis Oltra como técnico de la UD Almería |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=El Confidencial |language=es |publisher=Titania Compañía Editorial, S.L.}}</ref> thumb|Chart of UD Almería league performance 1929-present After two seasons in the second level, Almería returned to the main category of Spanish football on 22 June 2013, after defeating Girona FC in the play-offs. After the departure of manager Javi Gracia, the club appointed their former player and manager of the reserves at the time Francisco Javier Rodríguez Vílchez;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/futbol/noticias/4954168/06/13/Francisco-Javier-Rodriguez-nuevo-entrenador-del-Almeria.html |title=Francisco Javier Rodríguez, nuevo entrenador del Almería |date=29 June 2013 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=El Economista |agency=EcoDiario |language=es |publisher=Editorial Ecoprensa, S.A.}}</ref> the team eventually managed to survive in 2013–14, finishing 16th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/spanish-la-liga?cc=5901 |title=2013/14 Spanish Liga BBVA Table / Table |access-date=2 August 2019 |year=2013–2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411220903/http://espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/spanish-la-liga?cc=5901 |archive-date=11 April 2014 |work=ESPN FC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.es/LigaBBVA/Liga_BBVA_Clasificacion.aspx |title=Clasificación Liga BBVA - Temporada 2013/2014.Jornada 7 |year=2013–2014 |access-date=2 August 2019 |work=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |publisher=Liga BBVA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004095550/http://www.lfp.es/LigaBBVA/Liga_BBVA_Clasificacion.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref>

Francisco was sacked in December 2014, after only managing two points out of 24,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://as.com/futbol/2014/12/09/primera/1418124925_028508.html |title=El Almería destituye a Francisco |first=Rafa |last=Espino |date=9 December 2014 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=AS |language=es}}</ref> and was later replaced by Juan Ignacio Martínez.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/juan-ignacio-martinez-nuevo-entrenador-union-deportiva-almeria-2322298/0/ |title=Juan Ignacio Martínez, nuevo entrenador del Almería hasta final de temporada |author=Europa Press |author-link=Europa Press (news agency) |date=11 December 2014 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=20 Minutos |language=es}}</ref> "JIM" also only lasted until April of the following year,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2015/04/05/almeria-destituye-juan-ignacio-martinez/00031428259226541236754.htm |title=El Almería destituye a Juan Ignacio Martínez |author=Europa Press |author-link=Europa Press (news agency) |date=5 April 2015 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=La Voz de Galicia |language=es}}</ref> and even with new manager Sergi Barjuán,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/2015/04/06/sergi_barjuan_nuevo_entrenador_del_almeria_201892_1022.html |title=Sergi Barjuán, nuevo entrenador del Almería |author=EFE |author-link=EFE |date=6 April 2015 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=Diario de Navarra |language=es |publisher=Grupo La Información}}</ref> the club was relegated after finishing 19th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ligabbva.com/3176_clasificacion/index.html |title=Clasificación Liga BBVA |access-date=2 August 2019 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117054051/http://www.ligabbva.com/3176_clasificacion/index.html |archive-date=17 January 2015 |work=Liga BBVA |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.superdeporte.es/futbol/2015/05/27/almeria-retira-recurso-acaba-liga/258833.html |title=El Almería retira el recurso y acaba la Liga con 29 puntos |date=27 May 2015 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=Super Deporte |language=es |publisher=Prensa Ibérica}}</ref>

In the 2018–19 season, Almería finally escaped the tough fight for the permanence in Segunda División until the last matches as during 3 previous seasons. This time they were closer to the promotion play-offs to La Liga, and finished 10th from 22 teams participated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/17/1887/2018-2019-La-Liga-2-Stats|title=2018-2019 La Liga 2 Stats|website=FBref.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> [[File:Turki Al-Sheikh.jpg|thumb|Turki Al-Sheikh during a press conference in 2019]] On 2 August 2019, Turki Al-Sheikh became the owner of the club, replacing Alfonso García Gabarrón.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lavozdealmeria.com/noticia/6/deportes/176317/turki-al-sheikh-ya-es-el-dueno-del-almeria |title=Turki Al-Sheikh ya es el dueño del Almería |first=Rafa |last=Góngora |first2=Carlos |last2=Miralles |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=2 August 2019 |newspaper=La Voz de Almería |language=es |archive-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214173630/https://www.lavozdealmeria.com/noticia/6/deportes/176317/turki-al-sheikh-ya-es-el-dueno-del-almeria |url-status=dead }}</ref> He appointed Mohamed El Assy as general director,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.udalmeriasad.com/noticia/su-excelencia-turki-al-sheikh-nuevo-propietario-de-la-ud-almeria |title=Su excelencia Turki Al-Sheikh, nuevo propietario de la UD Almería |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019 |work=Unión Deportiva Almería |language=es}}</ref> Dario Drudi as sporting director, who replaced Miguel Ángel Corona,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.diariodealmeria.es/ud-almeria/Nuevo-entrenador-almeria-presidente_0_1378662503.html |title=Pedro Emanuel, Darío Drudi, Mohamed El Assy, los hombres fuertes del proyecto de Al-Sheihk |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019 |newspaper=Diario de Almería |publisher=Joly Digital |language=es}}</ref> and manager Óscar Fernández was replaced by Pedro Emanuel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lavozdealmeria.com/noticia/6/deportes/176303/pedro-emanuel-seria-el-nuevo-entrenador-del-almeria |title=Pedro Emanuel sería el nuevo entrenador del Almería |first=Rafa |last=Góngora |date=2 August 2019 |access-date=3 August 2019 |newspaper=La Voz de Almería |language=es }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On 5 November 2019, it was announced Guti replaced Emanuel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-guti-nuevo-entrenador-almeria-201911050156_noticia.html |title=Guti, nuevo entrenador del Almería |first=Eduardo |last=de Rivas |date=5 November 2019 |access-date=5 November 2019 |newspaper=ABC |language=es |publisher=Vocento}}</ref> On 26 June 2020, he was ceased and replaced by Mario Silva,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/segunda-division/guti-cesado-como-entrenador-del-almeria-8015383 |title=Guti, cesado como entrenador del Almería |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=Sport.es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ideal.es/udalmeria/mario-silva-dirige-20200627222843-nt.html |title=Mario Silva dirige la primera sesión de trabajo post-'Guti' |first=Juanjo |last=Aguilera |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=14 July 2020 |newspaper=Ideal |language=es |publisher=Vocento}}</ref> who was himself replaced by José Gomes on 27 July.

In August 2021, UD Almería (Mohamed El Assy) and the {{ill|Ayuntamiento de Almería|es}} ({{ill|Ramón Fernández-Pacheco Monterreal|es}}) agreed to a lease on the operation of the municipally owned Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos for a 25-year period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cope.es/deportes/futbol/noticias/ayuntamiento-almeria-firma-cesion-del-estadio-almeria-20210809_1443662|website=Cadena COPE|title=La UD Almería da el primer paso para la construcción de su estadio "Champions"|date=9 August 2021}}</ref> In June 2022, the club achieved promotion to the first division by sealing a 1st position in the table, respectively, on the very last match day of the season, after spending seven years in the second tier.

In the 2023–24 season, UD Almería started the season with record of 28 league games without a win between 11 August 2023 to 11 March 2024. At last, the club secured a victory against Las Palmas οn 17 March 2024. However, they were relegated to second division after a 1–3 loss to Getafe on 27 April 2024, ending their two-year stay in top tier.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.udalmeriasad.com/en/news/1-3-ud-almeria-get-relegated-to-segunda-division-as-they-lost-to-getafe-cf |title=1-3: UD Almería get relegated to Segunda Division as they lost to Getafe CF |publisher=UD Almería |date=27 April 2024 }}</ref>

In May 2025, UD Almería underwent a significant ownership change, with Saudi investment consortium SMC Group, led by Mohammed Al-Khereiji, acquiring the club from Turki Al-Sheikh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.besoccer.com/new/almeria-s-future-in-saudi-hands-after-ownership-shift-1359126 |title=Almeria's future in Saudi hands after ownership shift |publisher=BeSoccer |date=17 May 2025 }}</ref> On 26 February 2026, Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo acquired 25% stake in the club through CR7 Sports Investments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.udalmeriasad.com/en/news/cristiano-ronaldo-invierte-en-la-ud-almeria-como-parte-del-consorcio-propietario-del-club-liderado-por-smc-group |title=Cristiano Ronaldo backs UD Almería’s future |publisher=UD Almería |date=26 February 2026 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McKenna|first=Lorraine|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c39wry03jvmo|title=Ronaldo becomes co-owner of Spanish side Almeria|website=BBC Sport|date=26 February 2026}}</ref>

==Season to season== {{See also|List of UD Almería seasons}} {| |valign="top" width=0%| {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#f0f6fa;" !Season !Level !Division !Place !Copa del Rey |- |style="background:#EFEF99;"|1989–90 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|5 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|Reg. Pref. |style="background:#EFEF99;"|1st !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#EFEF99;"|1990–91 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|5 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|Reg. Pref. |style="background:#EFEF99;"|3rd !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#EFEF99;"|1991–92 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|5 |style="background:#EFEF99;"|Reg. Pref. |style="background:#EFEF99;"|2nd !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|1992–93 |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|4 |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|3ª |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|2nd !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|1993–94 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|11th !style="background:#efefef;"|Fourth round |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|1994–95 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2nd !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|1995–96 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|16th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|1996–97 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|17th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|1997–98 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|7th !style="background:#efefef;"|First round |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|1998–99 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|18th !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|1999–2000 |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|4 |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|3ª |style="background:#FFD3BD;"|4th !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2000–01 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|11th !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2001–02 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3 |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|2ª B |style="background:#DEC5AB;"|3rd !style="background:#efefef;"| |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2002–03 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|18th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2003–04 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|13th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2004–05 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|14th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2005–06 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|6th !style="background:#efefef;"|First round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2006–07 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2nd !style="background:#efefef;"|Third round |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2007–08 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|8th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2008–09 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|11th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 16 |} |valign="top" width=0%| {| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#f0f6fa;" !Season !Level !Division !Place !Copa del Rey |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2009–10 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|13th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2010–11 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|20th !style="background:#efefef;"|Semi-finals |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2011–12 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|7th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2012–13 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|3rd !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2013–14 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|17th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 16 |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2014–15 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|19th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 16 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2015–16 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|18th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2016–17 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|15th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2017–18 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|18th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2018–19 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|10th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2019–20 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|4th !style="background:#efefef;"|First round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2020–21 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|4th !style="background:#efefef;"|Quarter-finals |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2021–22 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|1st !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 32 |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2022–23 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|17th !style="background:#efefef;"|First round |- |style="background:#FFEA64;"|2023–24 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1 |style="background:#FFEA64;"|1ª |style="background:#FFEA64;"|19th !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2024–25 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|6th !style="background:#efefef;"|Round of 16 |- |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2025–26 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2 |style="background:#D3D3D3;"|2ª |style="background:#D3D3D3;"| !style="background:#efefef;"|Second round |} |} ---- *'''8''' seasons in La Liga *'''18''' seasons in Segunda División *'''6''' seasons in Segunda División B *'''2''' seasons in Tercera División *'''3''' seasons in Categorías Regionales

==Players== {{updated|2 February 2026}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.udalmeriasad.com/plantilla |title=Plantilla Unión Deportiva Almería SAD - Jugadores |website=udalmeriasad.com |language=es |access-date=11 September 2025 }}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{fs player|no=1|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=Andrés Fernández}} {{Fs player|no=2|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Arnau Puigmal}} {{fs player|no=3|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Álex Muñoz}} {{fs player|no=4|nat=POR|pos=DF|name=Nélson Monte}} {{fs player|no=5|nat=BRA|pos=DF|name=Rodrigo Ely}} {{fs player|no=6|nat=POR|pos=MF|name=André Horta|other=on loan from Braga}} {{Fs player|no=7|nat=ESP|pos=FW|name=Jon Morcillo}} {{Fs player|no=8|nat=POR|pos=MF|name=Gui Guedes}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=Thalys}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Nico Melamed}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Sergio Arribas}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=BRA|pos=FW|name=Léo Baptistão}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=Fernando Martínez}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=GHA|pos=MF|name=Iddrisu Baba}} {{Fs player|no=16|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Marcos Luna}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=SEN|pos=MF|name=Dion Lopy}} {{fs player|no=18|nat=ITA|pos=DF|name=Federico Bonini}} {{fs player|no=19|nat=CMR|pos=FW|name=Patrick Soko}} {{Fs player|no=20|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Álex Centelles}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Chumi}} {{fs player|no=22|nat=CUW|pos=DF|name=Daijiro Chirino}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=ESP|pos=FW|name=Adrián Embarba}} {{Fs player|no=24|nat=ESP|pos=FW|name=Miguel de la Fuente|other=on loan from Leganés}} {{fs player|no=29|nat=SRB|pos=MF|name=Stefan Džodić}} {{fs player|no=31|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=Bruno Iribarne}} {{fs player|no=32|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Pedro Fidel}} {{Fs end}}

===Reserve team=== {{main|UD Almería B}}

{{Fs start}} {{fs player|no=26|nat=MAR|pos=FW|name=Houssam Kounia}} {{fs player|no=27|nat=POR|pos=DF|name=Luís Martins}} {{Fs mid}} {{fs player|no=30|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=Jesús López}} {{Fs end}}

===Other players under contract=== {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=MLI|pos=FW|name=Ibrahima Koné}} {{Fs end}}

===Out on loan=== {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Álex Pozo|other=at Jagiellonia Białystok until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=MOZ|pos=DF|name=Bruno Langa|other=at Estrela da Amadora until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ESP|pos=DF|name=Edgar González|other=at Andorra until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ARG|pos=MF|name=Lucas Robertone|other=at Vélez Sarsfield until 31 December 2026}} {{fs player|no=|nat=MNE|pos=FW|name=Marko Perović|other=at Atlético Madrid B until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs mid}} {{fs player|no=|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Rubén Quintanilla|other=at Eldense until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ESP|pos=MF|name=Selvi Clua|other=at Mirandés until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Arvin Appiah|other=at Amiens until 30 June 2026}} {{fs player|no=|nat=URU|pos=FW|name=Juan Manuel Gutiérrez|other=at Defensa y Justicia until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=SRB|pos=FW|name=Marko Milovanović|other=at Alverca until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs end}}

==Technical staff== {{Fb cs header}} {{fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head coach |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Rubi}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Assistant coach |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Jaume Torras}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Chief of fitness coach |s= {{flagicon|ESP}} Xavi Gil}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Fitness coach |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Víctor Fortes <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Manel García}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Team manager |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Salva Sevilla}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Goalkeeping coach |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Ricardo Molina <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Diego Tuero}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Technical assistant |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Joan Carrillo <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Joan Ferrer}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Rehab fitness coach |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Álvaro Cano}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Equipment manager |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Bernardo Hernández <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Mateo Ruiz <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Juan Ventaja}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Equipment manager woman |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Eva María Hernández}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Chief of medical services |s= {{flagicon|ESP}} Sebastián Jiménez}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Physiotherapy coordinator |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Cid Andrade}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Physiotherapist |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Pedro Serrano <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Edu Antequera <br/> {{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos Fernández}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Nutritionist |s={{flagicon|ESP}} José González}} {{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Psychologist |s={{flagicon|ESP}} Javier Fernández}} {{Fb cs footer|u=11 September 2025 |s=[https://www.udalmeriasad.com/plantilla?category=coach UD Almería] {{in lang|es}}|date=11 September 2025}}

==Notable players== Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 100 league games and/or have reached international status. {{div col|colwidth=12em}} *{{flagicon|ALG}} Sofiane Feghouli *{{flagicon|ARG}} Hernán Bernardello *{{flagicon|ARG}} Pablo Piatti *{{flagicon|ARG}} Óscar Ustari *{{flagicon|ARG}} Diego Valeri *{{flagicon|BRA}} Diego Alves *{{flagicon|BRA}} Paulo Jamelli *{{flagicon|BRA}} Felipe Melo *{{flagicon|BRA}} Michel Macedo *{{flagicon|BFA}} Jonathan Zongo *{{flagicon|CMR}} Modeste M'bami *{{flagicon|CHI}} Hans Martínez *{{flagicon|CHI}} Lorenzo Reyes *{{flagicon|COL}} Fabián Vargas *{{flagicon|COL}} Luis Suárez *{{flagicon|CGO}} Thievy Bifouma *{{flagicon|CRO}} Mate Bilić *{{flagicon|DEN}} Michael Jakobsen *{{flagicon|EQG}} Sena *{{flagicon|ERI}} Henok Goitom *{{flagicon|GHA}} Iddrisu Baba *{{flagicon|HUN}} Ferenc Horváth *{{flagicon|ISR}} Tomer Hemed *{{flagicon|MLI}} Ibrahima Koné *{{flagicon|NED}} Sander Westerveld *{{flagicon|NGA}} Ramon Azeez *{{flagicon|NGA}} Kalu Uche *{{flagicon|PAR}} Diego Barreto *{{flagicon|PAR}} Peque Benítez *{{flagicon|PER}} Santiago Acasiete *{{flagicon|PER}} Miguel Rebosio *{{flagicon|POR}} Hélder Barbosa *{{flagicon|POR}} Nélson Marcos *{{flagicon|ROM}} Constantin Gâlcă *{{flagicon|SCG}} Veljko Paunović *{{flagicon|SEN}} Dion Lopy *{{flagicon|SRB}} Srđan Babić *{{flagicon|ESP}} Bruno *{{flagicon|ESP}} Álvaro Cervera *{{flagicon|ESP}} Juan Cervián *{{flagicon|ESP}} Corona *{{flagicon|ESP}} Albert Crusat *{{flagicon|ESP}} Esteban *{{flagicon|ESP}} Esteban Navarro *{{flagicon|ESP}} Fernando *{{flagicon|ESP}} Francisco *{{flagicon|ESP}} Carlos García *{{flagicon|ESP}} Julio *{{flagicon|ESP}} López Rekarte *{{flagicon|ESP}} Luna *{{flagicon|ESP}} Mané *{{flagicon|ESP}} Álvaro Negredo *{{flagicon|ESP}} José Ortiz *{{flagicon|ESP}} Juanma Ortiz *{{flagicon|ESP}} Juan Portillo *{{flagicon|ESP}} Raúl Sánchez *{{flagicon|ESP}} Fernando Soriano *{{flagicon|ESP}} Ángel Trujillo *{{flagicon|ESP}} Verza *{{flagicon|ESP}} Aleix Vidal *{{flagicon|THA}} Teerasil Dangda *{{flagicon|VEN}} Julio Álvarez *{{flagicon|URU}} Darwin Núñez *{{flagicon|YUG}} Ivica Barbarić {{div col end}}

{{see also|Category:UD Almería players}}

===World Cup players=== The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup Finals, while playing for Almería. {{div col|colwidth=38em}} * {{Flagicon|NGA}} Kalu Uche (2010) * {{Flagicon|NGA}} Ramon Azeez (2014) * {{Flagicon|SRB}} Srđan Babić (2022) {{div col end}}

==Uniform== thumb|150px|Almería's uniform in the 2020–21 season. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left" |- ! Period ! Kit Manufacturer ! Sponsors |- |2001–07 | Cejudo |rowspan=2| Obrascampo |- |2007–08 |rowspan=2| UDA |- |2008–10 || <small>None¹</small> |- |2010–12 | Rasán |rowspan=2| Urcisol |- |2012–19 | Nike |- |2019–20 | Adidas |rowspan=2| Arabian Centres |- |2020–22 | Puma |- |2022– | Castore | Khaled Juffali Co. |- |} ¹ The shirt contained messages such as ''Isla del Fraile'' or ''Corredor de Vida''.

==Honours== * '''Segunda División''' **Champions (1): 2021–22

==See also== *UD Almería B&nbsp;– Almería's B team *AD Almería *List of managers *List of statistics

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{official website|http://www.udalmeriasad.com}} {{in lang|es}} *[http://www.futbolme.com/com/index_equipo.asp?id_equipo=79 Futbolme team profile] {{in lang|es}} *[http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/e/e43.html BDFutbol team profile] *[https://kouragoal.com/?s=almeria Almeria on kouragoal site]

{{UD Almería}} {{Spanish football club template|Almería}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Almeria}} Category:UD Almería Category:Football clubs in Andalusia Category:Segunda División clubs Category:Association football clubs established in 1989 Category:1989 establishments in Spain Category:La Liga clubs Category:Men's football clubs in Spain