Carlos Dotor returns to Malaga on another loan deal from Celta

Málaga Club de Fútbol

The move strengthens Juanfran Funes' midfield with a player who already knows the dressing room, the surroundings and the working model. His output last season was one of the arguments behind the Blanquiazul decision to repeat the formula.

The agreement between Málaga CF and Celta Vigo includes a straight loan. There will be no buy option at the end of the spell, although the player's contractual situation could reopen talks next summer, when he will be entering his final year of contract with the Vigo club.

Dotor, born in Madrid in 2001, was already important during the previous campaign at La Rosaleda. He featured in 40 matches, scored once, provided four assists and played a key role in the promotion to LaLiga. Juanfran Funes was satisfied with his contribution and the club brings back a player who does not need to adapt.

His return adds to the signings of Fernando Calero and Juan Cruz. The three share one thing in common: they are players who already know Malaga or the context they are arriving in, a market line where identification with the project also carries weight.

Celta did not have him in mind for this season

After leaving Real Madrid Castilla, Celta invested three million euros in his signing. Before settling in Malaga, the midfielder had been loaned out by Oviedo and Sporting, although it was on the Costa del Sol where he regained continuity and delivered the level expected of him from his time in the white youth ranks, with whom he also won the Youth League.

Celta will face European competition this season, but Claudio Giráldez did not have Dotor in his plans. In fact, the player had worked away from the group during the Celeste pre-season, in which the team had already played a couple of friendlies.

In its statement, Málaga highlighted his physical and technical work in midfield, his quick integration into the dressing room and his value within the team's collective functioning. The club also stressed that he arrives with experience at the top level.

Dotor played 17 matches in LaLiga for Celta, seven as a starter, during his first campaign in Vigo. With Rafa Benítez he got minutes at the start, but the change of coach and some pubis issues, which also affected him during his previous loan spells, stalled his progress in the Celeste shirt.

In Malaga, those physical problems were not repeated after the club identified the source of the discomfort and carried out preventive work. The midfielder will begin the team dynamic with a slight delay, but he is expected to soon be at the disposal of Juanfran Funes to face the club's return to the top flight after eight years.

??????? | ¡Dotor vuelve a casa!

El Málaga CF volverá a contar con Carlos Dotor la próxima temporada 26/27. El centrocampista regresa, en calidad de cedido por un año, procedente del RC Celta de Vigo.

— Málaga CF (@MalagaCF) July 21, 2026