Former Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria made his return to the pitch after nearly three years away, with his comeback appearance coming against Real Madrid.
Ejaria left Liverpool after six years in 2020, but after terminating his contract at Reading in December 2023 he found himself unable to find a new club.
Despite trials with Oxford United, Plymouth and even Egyptian side Zamalek, the midfielder spent a year-and-a-half out of professional football before landing a surprise deal this month.
Signing a two-year contract with Real Oviedo, Ejaria was reunited with former Reading manager Veljko Paunovic in LaLiga.
Sunday saw him make his first competitive appearance at any level since November 2022, coming off the bench against Real Madrid.
He replaced Luka Ilic in an advanced attacking role, and per FotMob completed all 10 of his passes, created one chance and won three of his four duels in a promising display.
But Oviedo went on to lose 3-0 with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. both scoring after Ejaria had been introduced.
Ejaria’s landmark outing came on a night when Trent Alexander-Arnold – who he came through the academy alongside at Liverpool – was reduced to a cameo role off the bench.
Xabi Alonso preferred the fit-again Dani Carvajal at right-back, and according to The Athletic there is an expectation that will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 18, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Oviemuno Ovie Ejaria inspect the pitch before the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay match against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alexander-Arnold and Ejaria were teammates with Liverpool’s U18s and U21s before playing five times together at first-team level under Jurgen Klopp.
Oviedo earned promotion back to LaLiga via the Segunda Division playoffs, having finished third in the Spanish second tier last season.
That came after a 3-2 aggregate victory over CD Mirandes in the playoff final in June, with an extra-time winner from Francisco Portillo sealing a return to the top flight after 25 years away.
Ejaria’s new teammates include captain Santi Cazorla, former Man United centre-back Eric Bailly and ex-Everton striker Salomon Rondon.