Portuguese striker André Silva is close to joining newly promoted Elche in LaLiga. The 29-year-old, previously of Sevilla and Real Sociedad, looks set for another chance to shine in Spain after stints in Milan, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Bremen.
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André Silva’s career appears to be entering another fascinating chapter, with the Portuguese striker now on the verge of a return to Spanish football.
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Elche, who have just secured promotion back to LaLiga, have reached an agreement for the signing of the 29-year-old forward. For Elche, who are eager to establish themselves among Spain’s elite after climbing back to the top flight, the addition of an experienced international striker could prove a decisive move in their bid for survival and stability. For Silva, it is another opportunity to rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe’s most promising attackers.
This will not be unfamiliar territory for the Porto-born striker. Silva has already had two spells in Spain, first with Sevilla and more recently with Real Sociedad. His season in Andalusia back in 2018/19 was particularly memorable: he scored a hat-trick on his LaLiga debut against Rayo Vallecano, immediately endearing himself to the Sevilla supporters and underlining his reputation as a clinical finisher. Although his time there was disrupted by injuries and inconsistency, he left a mark as a player capable of making the difference in big matches. Later, with Real Sociedad, he added depth to their attack, though once again his progress was curtailed by fitness issues and the challenge of settling in a new environment. Now, with Elche offering him a central role, Silva has the chance to write a new Spanish chapter with far greater responsibility on his shoulders.
His journey since leaving FC Porto has been one of constant movement across Europe. After impressing as a young striker in Portugal, Silva earned a big move to AC Milan in 2017. Expectations were sky-high, and though he showed flashes of brilliance, he never fully found consistency in Serie A. That led to a series of loan spells Sevilla, Eintracht Frankfurt, and eventually RB Leipzig where his career enjoyed both peaks and setbacks. In Germany with Frankfurt, he arguably played the best football of his career, scoring prolifically in the Bundesliga and earning a permanent transfer to Leipzig. Yet his time there proved mixed, with stiff competition for places and tactical shifts limiting his role.
Last season was another reminder of how unsettled Silva’s career has become. After a half-season with Leipzig in which he struggled for minutes, he was sent on loan to Werder Bremen. In the Bundesliga, he looked sharp at times, using his movement and intelligence to create openings, but again his goal tally did not reach the levels expected of him. Still, Bremen valued his professionalism and experience in helping them secure stability in Germany’s top division.
Now, the move to Elche comes at a pivotal moment. At 29, Silva is entering what should be the peak years of his career. For Elche, the signing is a gamble but one with clear upside. Newly promoted sides often struggle to find proven goal scorers at an affordable price, and Silva’s availability has presented them with an unusual opportunity. If he can replicate even a fraction of the form he displayed at Eintracht Frankfurt or in his early Sevilla days, he could become a key figure in their fight to avoid relegation.
There is also a sense of unfinished business for Silva in Spain. His first LaLiga stint began with a bang, but injuries and inconsistency meant he never truly fulfilled his potential there. Returning with greater maturity, a wealth of experience across Europe, and the motivation to reestablish himself, he could prove a very different player this time around. His technical ability, aerial presence, and instinctive finishing remain intact; what has sometimes been missing is rhythm and confidence, two things he could well rediscover with regular playing time in a team that will likely rely heavily on his goals.
For the Portuguese international, who has collected more than 50 caps for his country and been part of squads at major tournaments, this move is also about keeping himself in contention at international level. Competition for attacking spots in Portugal’s squad is fierce, with players like Gonçalo Ramos, Diogo Jota, and João Félix all pushing for starting roles. A productive season in LaLiga could place Silva back into the conversation and prove that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
The transfer also illustrates Elche’s ambition. Freshly promoted, many expected them to limit themselves to modest signings and squad reinforcements aimed purely at survival. Instead, the club is targeting a striker with pedigree across Europe’s top leagues and international experience. This boldness could give them an edge, both on the pitch and in terms of boosting their profile. Fans will hope Silva can provide the goals to make the difference in tight matches against established LaLiga sides.
If the deal is finalized as expected, Silva will arrive in Spain with both pressure and opportunity in equal measure. For Elche, success may be defined simply as survival in LaLiga, but for André Silva, this season could represent something far greater: a chance to reignite a career that has drifted, to prove that his talent belongs on Europe’s biggest stages, and perhaps even to remind Portugal’s national team coaches of his enduring qualities.
Updated: 07:03, 17 Aug 2025
