Rabaseda returns to the tracks with Espanyol Cornellà
The veteran small forward Xavi Rabaseda, world champion in 2019 with the Spanish national team, has officially signed with SD Espanyol Cornellà to compete in the Third FEB. The 37-year-old player is starting a new chapter after ending his contract with Surne Bilbao from the Liga Endesa.
Xavi Rabaseda returns to active basketball after a brief competitive hiatus. SD Espanyol Cornellà announced on Monday the signing of the veteran small forward as a highly relevant addition to their project in the Tercera FEB, the fourth Spanish division. The operation sparks significant expectations within the Catalan club, relying on the player's experience, defense, and leadership to enhance their presence in the competition.
Rabaseda arrives as a strategic piece after concluding his term as captain of Surne Bilbao in the Liga Endesa in 2025. His elite basketball trajectory positions him as a prominent figure nationally, with a track record that attests to his quality and consistency over decades competing in top European competitions.
An Emotive Return to Cornellà
This signing holds a special meaning for Rabaseda, who trained at CB Cornellà between 2007 and 2009. Reuniting with the club where he first developed as a player symbolically closes a chapter in his career, completing a cycle that began almost two decades ago in the Cornellà youth system.
The 37-year-old small forward built a brilliant career at the highest level of European basketball, establishing himself as a defensive pillar in significant national clubs. His professional journey includes stints at top institutions: FC Barcelona's youth academy, where he laid the technical and competitive foundations defining his progress, followed by notable periods at Fuenlabrada, Movistar Estudiantes, Herbalife Gran Canaria, and Hereda San Pablo Burgos.
An International Elite Trophy Collection
Rabaseda's extensive title history reflects his consistent contribution to winning teams. With FC Barcelona, he secured one EuroLeague title and one Liga Endesa title, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level of European basketball. His time at Hereda San Pablo Burgos led to consecutive Basketball Champions League titles, solidifying his defensive prowess in top European competitions.
With Surne Bilbao, he claimed a FIBA Europe Cup title, expanding his collection of international triumphs. Nevertheless, the most remarkable milestone in his international career came in 2019 when he became world champion with the Spanish national team, achieving the peak of global recognition in basketball.
Anticipated Leadership in Tercera FEB
Upon joining Espanyol Cornellà, Rabaseda embarks on a new and ambitious phase focused on strengthening the club's project. The sports management trusts that his elite experience, defensive talent, and leadership skills will immediately impact the team and the competition.
Rabaseda is set to reunite with fellow veteran Alex Llorca, forming an anticipated leadership core that will bring immediate credibility to the team. The duo of experienced players represents the club's clear commitment to enhancing its competitive presence in the Tercera FEB, aiming to spread their expertise and winning mentality throughout the squad.
This signing marks a turning point in SD Espanyol Cornellà's ambition, betting on a competitive model based on proven experience and the leadership of players who have demonstrated their worth in top competitions. Rabaseda, with his international trajectory and earned titles, becomes a key asset for the club to strive for ambitious goals in the fourth Spanish division.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rabaseda regresa a las pistas con el Espanyol Cornellà
