Evgenija Veljanovska signs for Alavés; debuts with clean sheet

Evgenija Veljanovska, a 17-year-old goalkeeper born in 2009, has completed a transfer to Spanish side Alavés and immediately made her first appearance for the club.

Veljanovska arrived in Spain this summer and was handed a debut in the match against Osasuna, where she kept a clean sheet as Alavés won 2:0.

Significance for Macedonian women's football

The move represents a major step for a player of her age: leaving home early in her career to join a more competitive football environment should give her access to higher standards of coaching, facilities and match practice than she would find domestically.

For Alavés, signing a young international goalkeeper points to long-term planning and investment in youth, while for North Macedonia the transfer adds another international-capped player competing in one of Europe’s stronger women's leagues.

Veljanovska’s quick debut and shutout will increase expectations at club and national level as she adapts to life and football in Spain, with the potential to develop into a regular at higher levels if she continues on this path.

Photo: press material from the event