Free transfers rarely make anyone's pulse race. A 31 year old midfielder leaving Deportivo Alaves for Sevilla on a free in the summer of 2026 is not the kind of deal that trends for a week. But look a little closer at Jon Guridi and the move makes a lot of sense, for both sides.
He is the type of footballer coaches ask for by name. According to reports at the time, that is more or less what happened here: Sevilla's head coach Luis Garcia Plaza, who had worked with Guridi at Alaves, wanted him in the squad. Managers don't spend their transfer wishes on players who let them down.
Guridi at a glance
| Full name | Jon Guridi Aldalur |
|---|---|
| Born | February 28, 1995, in Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
| Age | 31 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height and weight | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in), about 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Position | Central midfielder, can play attacking midfield or right wing back |
| Stronger foot | Left |
| Club | Sevilla FC (joined summer 2026 on a free transfer) |
| Contract | Runs to June 30, 2028 |
| Shirt number | 18 (worn at Alaves) |
| Agency | THE TEAM |
| Market value | Roughly 1.8 million euros (2026 estimate) |
| Net worth | $7 million to $10 million (Icon Polls estimate) |
Zubieta, and the slow road up
Guridi comes from Azpeitia, a small town in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, and he grew up in football terms at Zubieta, Real Sociedad's academy. That production line has turned out plenty of talent over the years, and very few of its graduates get fast tracked.
Guridi certainly wasn't. He was promoted to Real Sociedad B in 2014, made his senior debut on September 13 that year and scored his first professional goal in October 2015. His La Liga debut came on March 18, 2017. Then came a loan to CD Mirandes, a spell of regular minutes outside the top flight that did him more good than another year on the fringes in San Sebastian would have.
His first La Liga goal didn't arrive until May 22, 2022, against Atletico Madrid. Seven and a half years from reserve team debut to a top flight goal. That tells you a lot about the kind of career this has been: patient, unglamorous, and built one step at a time.
Four years in Vitoria
In July 2022 Guridi signed a four year deal with Alaves, who had just dropped out of La Liga. He was part of the side that went straight back up, and he became one of the names on the teamsheet a coach writes first. In August 2025 he passed 100 La Liga appearances, and in November 2025 he was called up by the Basque Country for a friendly against Palestine. He has never been capped by Spain's senior team.
What does he actually do? He runs, he reads the game early, he wins the ball back and he gives it to someone better placed. He can push forward as an attacking midfielder, and he has filled in at right wing back. That versatility matters to a coach with a thin squad, and it is a big part of why he keeps getting picked.
Why Sevilla, and why for free
His contract at Alaves ran out on June 30, 2026. He reportedly had an offer to stay, but chose to leave. Sevilla announced the signing on June 10, 2026, with a two year contract running to June 2028.
The market value numbers explain why no fee changed hands. His valuation peaked at around 3.9 million euros in May 2024, when he was central to everything Alaves did. By the 2025 to 2026 season it had fallen to roughly 1.8 million to 1.9 million euros. Age and an expiring deal will do that to any player. It says more about how the market treats 31 year olds than about what he offers on the pitch.
For Sevilla, a club that has had to be careful with money, a proven La Liga midfielder who already knows the coach's ideas is sensible business. For Guridi, it's a bigger stage, and probably his best chance at a club of that size.
Salary first, then the net worth guess
Guridi's pay has been reported more clearly than his wealth. At Alaves in 2025 to 2026 he was earning an estimated gross salary of about 1.25 million euros a year, roughly 24,000 euros a week. At Real Sociedad the reported figure was around 1 million euros a year.
His Sevilla terms have not been made public. A rise would not be surprising given the size of the club, but that is an assumption, not a fact.
As for net worth, there is no official figure, and there rarely is for players outside the global elite. Icon Polls estimates Guridi's net worth at $7 million to $10 million in 2026, based on a decade of professional wages plus likely bonuses and image rights. Treat it as an educated estimate rather than a bank statement.
1.79 metres, and better in the air than you'd think
At 1.79 m and around 70 kg, Guridi is built like a standard La Liga central midfielder. He doesn't dominate physically. Even so, he has a reputation for winning more aerial duels than his frame suggests, which comes down to timing and positioning rather than height. His real physical strength is his engine: he covers ground for ninety minutes.
The pixel version: FC26 and Football Manager
In EA Sports FC 26, Guridi's base card sits at around 73 to 74 overall. He is listed as a CAM at Alaves, with 3 star skill moves and a 3 star weak foot, and his best stats are dribbling, passing and shooting. Expect the club on his card to catch up with the transfer at some point.
He won't be in many competitive Ultimate Team sides. For Career Mode, or a La Liga themed squad on a budget, he is a tidy pick. Football Manager 2026 rates him differently: a central midfielder valued at around 16 million in game currency, with Central Midfielder (Out of Possession) as his best role. Honestly, FM is closer to the real player. His value lies in the dirty work, not the highlight reel.
No fuss, on or off the pitch
A surprising number of people search for Guridi's hair. The answer is simple: short and dark, sometimes with a light fade at the sides. Clean, low maintenance, nothing to see. It fits a player who keeps a low profile on social media and keeps his personal life private. If you want to know about his relationships or family, there's very little in the public domain, and that seems to be how he likes it.
Where does a grafter like Guridi sit next to football's headline stars? Probably nowhere near the top, but it's a fun argument to have. Make your case in our vote for the best football players of all time.
Short answers
Which club does Jon Guridi play for in 2026?
Sevilla FC. He joined on a free transfer after his Alaves contract expired, signing a deal that runs to June 2028.
How much does Jon Guridi earn?
At Alaves he earned an estimated 1.25 million euros a year gross. His Sevilla salary has not been disclosed.
Is Jon Guridi left footed?
Yes. His left is his stronger foot.
