THE Rayo Vallecano squad which finished mid-table in back-to-back La Liga seasons was largely made up of players who Andoni Iraola inherited in the second tier.

The likes of Santi Comesana, Oscar Trejo and Isi Palazon have continued to play key roles for the Madrid club in the top flight, having helped them clinch promotion.

However, there were six players over the past couple of seasons which fans of English football may recognise.

With varying levels of success, six members of the Vallecano squads in the three years have previously played in the Premier League.

Bournemouth Echo:

The most recognisable name at the club during Iraola’s three-year stint was undoubtedly Radamel Falcao.

The Colombian striker joined Vallecano in 2021, after a two-year stint in Turkey with Galatasaray.

Prior to that, he featured for two of the biggest clubs in England.

Falcao, who earlier in his career shone at the likes of Porto and Atletico Madrid, had a season with Manchester United in 2014-15, before moving to Chelsea the following summer.

Now 37, Falcao scored eight goals in 54 appearances across the last two campaigns.

Also part of the squad last season was Jose Angel Pozo.

The midfielder was part of Real Madrid’s youth system, before being snapped up by Manchester City in 2012.

He went on to play four times for the first team under Manuel Pellegrini as a teenager, including three outings in the Premier League, one as a starter.

Pozo also netted in a 7-0 League Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday, in September 2014.

A move to Almeria would follow, before linking up with Vallecano in 2018, where he has made more than 100 appearances.

Bournemouth Echo:

Another player who helped the club up from Segunda and featured in the top flight was winger Bebe.

He made headlines in 2010, when Manchester United shelled out around £7million for his services, having just turned 20.

But Bebe struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, eventually leaving in 2014 having scored two goals in seven appearances.

Now a Cape Verde international, the 32-year-old played for Benfica and Eibar, before arriving at Vallecano five years ago. He spent part of last season back in the second tier, on loan at Real Zaragoza.

Bournemouth Echo:

Staying in the top end of the pitch, a Premier League winner helped Vallecano clinch promotion in the 2020-21 season.

Leonardo Ulloa ended his career at the Spanish club, playing a bit-part role in his final season.

The Argentinean moved to England in 2013, joining Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship.

Ulloa impressed enough to earn a Premier League move to Leicester City, playing a key role in the club’s dream title win under Claudio Ranieri.

A player who spent significantly less time in England, but also joined Vallecano in 2019, was midfielder Mario Suarez.

Playing most of his football at Atletico Madrid, the Spain international had one season in the Premier League, with Watford in 2015-16, making 17 appearances under Quique Sanchez Flores.

Aged 36, his game-time was limited last season, but Suarez previously featured regularly under Iraola.

The sixth former Premier League player Iraola has coached is defender Florian Lejeune.

The Frenchman joined Vallecano last summer on loan from Alaves. He had an eventful time in the capital, scoring four goals and also receiving three red cards across his 32 appearances.

Lejeune spent time at two English clubs, failing to make the breakthrough at Manchester City, before playing 46 times across three seasons for Newcastle United between 2017 and 2020.