FLORIAN LEJEUNE NEWS

Makes five clearances in win Lejeune generated two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Lejeune led Rayo Vallecano in clearances during the match to help them earn the home win even down one man since Abdul Mumin's red card in the 22nd minute. The centerback now has 40 clearances over 11 starts in the season. He also matched his most tackles in the campaign to cap his great defensive outing.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Records seven clearances Lejeune registered one tackle (zero won), seven clearances and one interception in Wednesday's 0-0 draw versus Girona.

Impact For the second time in the 2024-25 La Liga, Lejeune logged more than five clearances in a single game, giving himself 27 of them this season. Defensively, he and Abdul Mumin have formed a solid center-back duo with both players showing future promise for future games.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Lejeune assisted once to go with one chance created in Monday's 3-1 victory over Osasuna.

Impact Lejeune's defensive contribution turned into an assist when he intercepted a long ball that Unai Lopez took advantage of to make a fast counterattack in stoppage time against Osasuna. It had been a quiet performance for the defender before that event, highlighted only by his game-high 49 passes as his team dominated possession. He has played every minute in the first five matches of the season, averaging 3.4 clearances and 1.8 tackles per contest, and attempting three free kick shots so far.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Nets opening goal Lejeune scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) in Wednesday's 2-1 victory against Granada.

Impact Lejeune opened the scoring Wednesday, finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute. This marks the defender's third goal of the season, now having four goal contributions. He was also solid in the defense, adding on one interception and six clearances.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Fires five shots Lejeune had five shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 3-0 loss to Villarreal.

Impact Lejeune attempted five shots (two on target) Sunday, tying a season-high, as Rayo Vallecano fell 3-0 to Villarreal. The match marked the second successive occasion in which the defender has attempted five shots in a single match. Lejeune has surpassed the number of shots he's been able to direct on target from the 2022-2023 campaign during the 2023-2024 campaign. However, this has not resulted in an increase in the number of goals for the defender. During the previous campaign, Lejeune managed to score four times in 41 shot attempts (14 on target). During the current campaign, Lejeune has scored just twice in 56 shot attempts (17 on target).

APRIL 29 • ROTOWIRE

Five shots, two on goal Lejeune registered five shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 win against Osasuna.

Impact For the first time this season, Lejeune attempted more than two or three shots, which is how many he has logged in at least half of his appearances. Across his five appearances since March, the center-back has recorded that many shots on goal on 11 attempts.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Set to return after ban Lejeune is set to return after a one-game suspension, meaning he will be eligible to face Getafe on April 13.

Impact The defender, an absolute free-kick specialist and regular starter at the back for Rayo Vallecano, is set to return after completing his one game. Barring any unforeseen physical issues, he should return to the starting lineup. He's made 29 starts in 2023-24, racking up two goals, one assist and 130 clearances.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Scores and picks up fifth yellow Lejeune scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Betis. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 85th mi...

Impact Lejeune scored his second goal of the season Sunday -- both of which have come in the last three matches -- a free kick in the 40th minute which opened up the scoring. He also helped his side keep a clean sheet as he contributed one tackle, two interceptions, seven clearances and a season-high three blocked shots. He was on his way to his best performance of the season, but in the 85th minute he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season which makes him ineligible for the March 31 match at Celta Vigo. He will be eligible to return April 13 versus Getafe.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in draw Lejeune scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Cadiz.

Impact Lejeune notched his first goal of the season in the 89th minute as the opposing goalkeeper misplayed a corner kick, which resulted in his goal scoring opportunity. Aside from his goal, the central defender registered 10 clearances, matching his season-high.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Logs eight clearances in loss Lejeune had two off-target shots, created one chance, made eight clearances and drew three fouls during Sunday's 2-1 loss against Mallorca.

Impact Lejeune was dominant on aerial plays on both ends as he paced all players in clearances while also being a threat on attacking set pieces but his performance wasn't enough for his side to escape with at least one point here. The center-back, who currently ranks sixth among all La Liga players with 99 clearances, will probably have his hands full again next Sunday as Rayo hosts league leaders Real Madrid.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes to clean sheet Lejeune generated two shots (zero on goal) in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Real Sociedad.

Impact Lejeune continues to be one of the first names selected to the team sheet, having started every La Liga match this season. His one tackle (one won), one interception, seven clearance performance contributed greatly to the team's eighth clean sheet. Furthermore, Lejeune's two shots were indicative of his recent attempts to impact the game offensively. He has nine shots (two on goal) in his last five matches.

JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Can't score despite hitting post Lejeune had three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Friday's 1-0 defeat versus Osasuna.

Impact Lejeune plays as a center-back, but in a game where Rayo's attack was completely anemic, he ended up being the biggest attacking threat and had some clear scoring chances, including a first-half long-range effort that rattled the crossbar. Lejeune has been particularly active on offense despite being a defender and has tallied multiple shots in four of his last five outings.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona needs own goal to salvage 1-1 draw at Rayo

Florian Lejeune accidentally turned a cross into his own net in the final minutes as Barcelona escaped with a tie.

NOVEMBER 25, 2023

Logs in assist Lejeune assisted once to go with three shots (two on target) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Real Sociedad. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 13th...

Impact Lejeune has totaled an assist with 25 clearances in the last five matches. He also brings his total clearances per game to about 4.5 in 11 games this season.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes three shots in defeat Lejeune recorded three shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 1-0 defeat versus Betis.

Impact Lejeune led his team with three shots taken, two of which were on goal. The defender has now totaled eight shots over the past three games. He also managed to record three clearances, after failing to record one in his previous match.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes three shots in defeat Lejeune registered three shots (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Monday's 7-0 loss against Atletico Madrid. In addition, he was given a yellow ca...

Impact Lejeune achieved a season-high in shots with three. However, after back-to-back clean sheets, the team conceded seven goals against Atletico. The defender also failed to record a clearance after registering 13 in the previous two fixtures combined

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in Rayo Lejeune has agreed to a four-year contract with Rayo Vallecano, keeping him in Madrid after spending a year on loan from Alaves.

Impact Lejeune was set to return to Alaves, however has decided to stay with Rayo after signing a four-year deal with the team. He had a decent 2022/23 campaign, recording four goals with 119 clearances and keeping eight clean sheets in 31 appearances. He will continue to remain starting center back, especially with the departure of Alejandro Catena.

JULY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Regular starter this season Lejeune scored four goals and kept eight clean sheets across 31 La Liga appearances (all starts) while on-loan with Rayo for this campaign.

Impact Lejeune was a first-choice center-back alongside Alejandro Catena this season, and he put up the highest scoring output of his career with four goals. The 32-year-old is set to return from his loan to Alaves, which just got promoted back into the top division from La Liga 2.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eligible for Betis match Lejeune will be eligible to return after serving a one-match suspension for a red card last match.

Impact Lejeune will likely return to the lineup on May 15 against Real Betis after serving his one-match suspension this week. He's recorded a goal and 38 clearances in the last 10 games.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off against Elche Lejeune received a straight red card -- following a VAR review -- in the 27th minute of Saturday's clash against Elche following a foul on Pere Milla.

Impact Lejeune has started 29 of Rayo's 32 La Liga matches this season, but this is his third red card of the campaign and his second just in April alone. He will be suspended at least for next week's clash against Valladolid, with Abdul Mumin likely to replace him once again alongside Alejandro Catena in central defense.

APRIL 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores costly own goal Lejeune registered an own goal and four clearances in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad.

Impact Lejeune got the start at center back since returning from a one-match ban for being shown a straight red card on April 9. It was not the return he would have liked to have, scoring an own goal to lose the game for the team Saturday. In the last five games, the defender has been able to record 17 clearances to up his average a contest to just under four.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available once more Lejeune is available to return from a one-match ban after being sent off against Atleti.

Impact Lejeune served his one-match ban and is now eligible to return once more. The defender is a consistent starter, and will return to the starting XI with a near-guarantee for a full 90 minutes.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off Lejeune was sent off with a straight red card in the 62nd minute of Sunday's 2-1 defeat versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Lejeune was handed a straight red card Sunday and will serve a one-match suspension Friday against Osasuna. He ruins his 17-game streak of starts, playing in every minute of each contest. Abdul Mumin will likely be his replacement in the starting XI while he serves the suspension.

APRIL 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Atletico moves closer to Real Madrid with 5th straight win

Atletico Madrid has continued its hot streak with a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano to move within two points of second-place Real Madrid in the Spanish league

APRIL 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS