Squad overhaul incoming
Forty-two players. That's the number Erik Bretos and Matarazzo have to manage this summer as the club faces a massive squad restructuring. Loanees returning, fringe players awaiting moves, new signings to integrate – the scale of the operation is enormous (2). It's the kind of summer that defines a project. Get it right and you build on the Copa del Rey triumph. Get it wrong and the league inconsistency that plagued the season just finished becomes the new normal.
Long-term security locked in
Twenty-seven players are under contract at Real Sociedad through 2029 or beyond. The standout names: Jon Martín and Ibai Aguirre, both tied down until 2031 (1). In a summer where so much is up in the air, this is the bedrock. The core is protected. Academy talents who've been given a platform under Matarazzo – like Beitia and Ochieng – now sit inside a structure built for stability.
Real Sociedad Femenina reshapes for Champions League
Five significant departures confirmed as the women's team restructures ahead of their Champions League campaign (4). Among them, Andreia Jacinto leaves the club in an official transfer (3). It's a clear signal: the squad that earned European qualification is being recalibrated for the demands of competing on multiple fronts. Big ambition, bold decisions.