Player who signed lifetime contract with club joins rivals one year later

Who said loyalty in football was dead?

Pepelu, who's real name is José Luis García Vayá, had signed a 10-year contract with the Spanish second division side Levante, narrowly missed out on promotion to the top-flight after they were beaten by Alaves 1-0 on aggregate thanks to a 129th minute penalty via Asier Villalibre.

Although Levante won't be playing in LaLiga, Pepelu will after he decided to leave the club just a year into his mega contract to join city rivals Valencia instead.

Valencia signed the talented 24-year-old for just €5m and have included a release clause of €100m in his contract. The Spanish giants struggled last season and narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 16th and two-points clear of Real Valladolid, who went down with 40 points.

It's not the first time a player has signed a lifetime contract with a club. Raul of Real Madrid and Andreas Iniesta, formerly of Barcelona, also signed similar deals but like Pepelu, both ended up moving onto pastures new.

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