Sevilla FC has finalized its squad number list for the 2026/27 season with only one number free, the 25, which is reserved exclusively for goalkeepers. As reported by Javi SFC, this situation limits the club's options for the upcoming January transfer window. The squad, which you can view on our squad page, has 24 of the 25 available first-team numbers occupied.
LaLiga regulations state that outfield numbers run from 1 to 25, with numbers 1, 13, and 25 reserved for goalkeepers. At Nervión, number 1 is worn by Odysseas Vlachodimos and 13 by Fran González. Last season, the 25 was held by Álvaro Fernández, who later transferred to Deportivo. The lack of a free outfield number means the club cannot register any new outfield players in January without a departure.
Which player could free up a number?
The only path to freeing an outfield number is through the departure of Fábio Cardoso. The 32-year-old Portuguese centre-back retains the number 15 despite being out of the plans since the first day of pre-season. Cardoso arrived on a free from Porto a year ago and has a contract until 2027. The club attempted to terminate his deal, but the player refused to give up part of his salary. The sporting directorate is now seeking a transfer, with offers from Saudi Arabia and São Paulo.
Other transfer market deadlines could facilitate a move. The Brazilian window closes on 11 September, the Saudi market remains open after Spain's closure, and the Turkish, Mexican, and Greek windows shut in the coming days. If Cardoso finds a new club, Sevilla would ease its wage bill and recover the number 15, the only outfield shirt that could be filled in January.
How was the symbolic number 16 assigned?
Following the transfer of Juanlu Sánchez to Bournemouth, the symbolic number 16, worn in tribute to Antonio Puerta, was passed to Isaac Romero on 11 August. The competition does not allow numbers to be retired, so the club maintains an internal rule that the 16 must always be worn by an academy graduate. This change caused a domino effect on the list: Romero freed up the number 7, taken by Alfon González; Alfon released the 17, which went to Gabriel Suazo; and Suazo's old number 12 is now worn by Arouna Sangante.
How reliant is the squad on loan players?
Sevilla's squad is heavily supported by loan signings. Four of the twenty-four occupied numbers belong to players on loan. Odysseas Vlachodimos (1) arrived on loan from Newcastle. Lucas Stassin (19) joined from Saint-Étienne with a 25 million euro purchase option. Félix Correia (20) is owned by Lille. Youssouf Fofana (24) is property of Milan in a loan without an option to buy. Among permanent signings, Robbie Ure, holder of the number 9 and signed until 2031, and Giorgi Kochorashvili, who occupies the number 8, stand out.
The number list reflects a summer with eleven arrivals and sixteen departures. With the Spanish window closed, the squad is set until January, pending possible moves in markets that remain open. The team now faces the season in this configuration, which you can track in our standings. Sevilla's next official match is a LaLiga fixture the weekend of 13 September, according to the fixtures calendar.
