Key Takeaways:
- Diego Moyano, aged 14, began first-team training with Levante under Luis Castro’s guidance on Thursday
- Marc Santos previously made his debut for Levante on 16 August 2026 at 15 years and 288 days old, becoming the club’s youngest-ever league player
- Ongoing financial constraints have prompted Levante to prioritise academy prospects and incorporate several young talents into the senior squad
Moyano Embarks on Senior Training with Levante
Levante manager Luis Castro continues to make bold strides in youth development, this time involving 14-year-old Diego Moyano in first-team training sessions. The Portuguese coach took the decisive step on Thursday, introducing the centre-back, born in March 2012, to the senior squad. As per Marca, Moyano’s attributes include ball composure, strong aerial ability, and positional adaptability across the defence. His inclusion in senior training places him within reach of breaking La Liga’s all-time youngest player record.
🤯🐸UN CENTRAL DE 14 AÑOS SE ENTRENA CON EL PRIMER EQUIPO DEL LEVANTE
💎Diego Moyano, nacido en 2012, recibió la llamada de Luís Castro después de destacar en la cantera granota y proclamarse campeón de España Sub-14 con la selección valenciana
🇪🇸 El joven defensor también ha sido convocado por primera vez con la Selección Española Sub-15
ℹ️AS
— Post United (@postunited) October 8, 2026
Levante’s Commitment to Emerging Talent
This move aligns with Castro’s well-established principle of prioritising young talent irrespective of age. That philosophy was highlighted on 16 August 2026, when Marc Santos made a top-flight debut against Espanyol. Despite Levante suffering a 3-0 loss, Santos, at 15 years and 288 days, made history as both the club’s youngest ever league debutant and the third-youngest player to appear in the Spanish top division.
Reliance on Academy Amid Budget Limitations
Levante’s sustained financial difficulties have compelled the board to seek cost-effective solutions, leading to a heightened reliance on their youth system. Evidence of this strategy can be seen in the recent acquisitions of Belgian prospect Yanis Musuayi and Austria youth international Feanyi Ndukwe, both signed on loan from Liverpool. Additionally, the management’s confidence in youth surfaced last season when homegrown players Nacho Perez and Paco Cortes were granted their senior debuts. These measures underscore the club’s renewed emphasis on developing and promoting academy talent, with hopes of discovering the next standout in the mould of Carlos Espi.
Decisive Weeks Ahead for Diego Moyano
Moyano’s immediate priority is to maintain his form and composure to impress the coaching staff amid an intense league schedule. With Levante embroiled in a battle to avoid relegation, Luis Castro’s challenge now lies in determining the opportune moment to introduce Moyano to first-team action. Should he be granted his senior debut in the forthcoming weeks, the teenager would establish a new benchmark as the youngest-ever La Liga player – an achievement rarely seen elsewhere in European football.
