Leander Dendoncker left Aston Villa and completed a permanent move to Real Oviedo in the summer window.
The defensive midfielder, who can also operate as a centre-back, has played the full 90 minutes in two matches since he joined the La Liga club.
At the weekend, the former Aston Villa man scored the winner in his side’s 1-0 win over Real Sociedad. It was the La Liga newcomers’ first league goal and win of this season.
Friday’s edition of [Gazet van Antwerpen](https://www.gva.be/) has a report on the 30-year-old, which explains he has ‘rediscovered his passion for football’ since leaving Aston Villa for Real Oviedo.
The Belgium international joined the Villans in the summer of 2022 and later that year, Unai Emery took charge at Villa Park. He wasn’t able to impress the manager, playing less than 1,000 minutes from 30 games under the Spaniard’s orders. Therefore, Aston Villa sent him out on loan from January 2024.
Dendoncker joined Napoli, where he struggled to impress. Last summer, the English club sanctioned a late loan move to his former club, Anderlecht.
There was great excitement initially with his return to the Jupiler Pro League club, who had secured a purchase option. His mixed performances didn’t convince them to use it.
He returned to Aston Villa in the summer before leaving them permanently for the La Liga side. Dendoncker has had a good start so far and would have been thrilled to score his first goal for Real Oviedo.
The report states: _‘It wasn’t just any goal. For Dendoncker himself, it represented a kind of liberation after several difficult seasons at Aston Villa and a less-than-successful loan spell at Anderlecht. In Asturias, he seems to have regained confidence and found a team that gratefully utilises his experience. For Real Oviedo and its fanatical supporters, the goal was even more: tangible proof that their club truly belongs in La Liga again.’_
Real Oviedo would be hoping for Dendoncker to continue to impress and become a key player this season.