Bernabé to join Athens Kallithea FC

Athens Kallithea FC announce the acquisition of Spanish goalkeeper Bernabé Barragán, known simply as Bernabé, who will join the club upon the expiration of his contract with Segunda División club Albacete on 1 July 2024, subject to the successful completion of a medical.

Bernabé, 31, passed through Real Betis, Atlético Madrid, and Gimnàstic before arriving at Albacete, where he spent the last four seasons and served as team captain.

Born in Los Palacios y Villafranca in the province of Sevilla, Bernabé came up through the academy of his hometown club Real Betis, making his professional debut for Real Betis B in the third tier at the age of 18, and going on to make 11 total appearances for the reserves in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, before leaving for Atlético Madrid.

Bernabé would spend four seasons at Atlético Madrid, training regularly with the senior team while competing for playing time with Atlético Madrid B from 2013/14 through 2016/17.

After a move to Gimnàstic in July 2017, Bernabé would eventually become a regular starter for the first time in his career, making 23 starts (32 goals conceded, six clean sheets) in Segunda División in 2018/19 and 28 starts (38 goals conceded, five clean sheets) in Segunda División B in 2019/20.

In August 2020, Bernabé returned to the Segunda División with Albacete. Bernabé would take over as starting ‘keeper in the final five rounds of the season, but by that time the club were already heading towards relegation to the third tier. The following season, though, Bernabé was named team captain and helped lead Albacete back to the Segunda División, conceding just 17 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets in 25 matches. Bernabé has retained the captain’s armband with the team in Segunda División over the last two seasons, making 55 total starts with 68 goals conceded and 14 clean sheets.

Welcome, Bernabé.