Levante UD have confirmed the signing of midfielder Axel Tape on loan from Bayer Leverkusen until the end of the season. The Granotas were seeking a replacement for Kervin Arriaga and have found a versatile solution in the young Frenchman, as reported by Jornada Perfecta.
Luis Castro's side currently sit tenth in LaLiga, with four points from one win, one draw, and one loss. Having scored and conceded five goals, their next challenge is an away trip to bottom-placed Malaga on September 6th.
Who is Axel Tape?
Axel Tape is a 19-year-old French footballer developed in the Paris Saint-Germain academy. The player arrives in Valencia on a loan deal from German club Bayer Leverkusen. Jornada Perfecta notes that Levante's sporting director had been tracking his performances in the Youth League.
His main asset is his versatility. While his natural position is defensive midfielder, Tape can also operate as a right-sided centre-back and even fill in at right-back if needed. This tactical flexibility was a key factor in his signing, offering multiple options to Portuguese manager Luis Castro.
How does this signing affect the squad?
The arrival of Tape specifically fills the gap left by the departure of Honduran midfielder Kervin Arriaga. Levante's midfield gains depth and future potential with a young player touted for a bright future. His incorporation comes as the team sits five points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
With this move, Levante UD have addressed one of the most significant departures from their squad this summer. Fans can check the current team composition on our squad page. The loan does not include an option to buy, meaning the player's future beyond June 2027 remains undecided.
What happened in Levante UD 5-2 Real Betis?
In the latest LaLiga matchday, Levante UD secured a emphatic 5-2 victory over Real Betis at the Ciutat de València. The match, played on August 29th, was covered live by El Mundo and with a statistical summary by ESPN. Roger Brugué was the star with a brace, while Adrián de la Fuente, Enzo Bardeli, and Jon Ander Olasagasti completed the scoring.
ESPN's data reflects the home side's offensive superiority, with an xG (expected goals) of 2.99 compared to Betis's 1.97. Castro's team created four big chances and had 40% possession. This win is part of the recent form (WDL) keeping the team in the middle of the standings.
When is Levante's next league fixture?
La Liga has already announced the kick-off times for the fifth matchday, to be played from September 11th to 14th. According to Plaza Deportiva, Levante UD will host reigning champions FC Barcelona on Saturday, September 12th at 16:15 at their home ground. This will be another major test for a team looking to consolidate its mid-table position.
Prior to that fixture, and as part of a busy schedule, the Granotas will travel to face Malaga on September 6th. All fixture times and opponents are available on our fixtures page. Axel Tape's loan agreement with Levante UD runs for ten months.
