It’s a time of celebration for Ceuta. On this day, May 11, 2025, José Juan Romero’s squad secured their historic promotion to Spain’s Segunda División, doing so two matchdays early after defeating Fuenlabrada at the Fernando Torres stadium. It marked the first time in 45 years that a Ceuta-based team reached the second tier.
The club’s growth is no accident but the result of meticulous work across all areas. A prime example is the Ceuta B team, which has qualified for the promotion playoffs to Segunda RFEF. Club president Luhay Hamido shared his congratulations on Facebook, a message that quickly resonated with the Blanquinegra faithful. “Always AD Ceuta FC. Well done, my cubs. Playoff to 2 RFEF. Congratulations to the fans. You have more playoffs than the Boston Celtics.”
Lineup of Ceuta B.
AD Ceuta
The success of Ceuta B also helps explain the first team’s achievements. José Juan Romero has given first-team debuts to four reserve players: Efe Aghama, Josema, Yeyo, and Arick. Aghama’s case is exceptional. He was signed for the B team, promoted by Romero to the first team, played three matches (the last in Santander), and was then transferred to Cádiz for nearly €1 million. It was a perfect business move and a stroke of genius from sporting director Edu Villegas.
Youth production has yielded significant dividends. Sixtus brought in around €200,000 after being transferred from Eldense to Kortrijk in Belgium. Chris Uche was sold to Getafe for €500,000 and later loaned to Crystal Palace with a €22 million purchase option (Ceuta retaining a 12.5% sell-on fee) if he played 10 matches as a starter, though that clause was not triggered.
Rubén Díez at Fuenlabrada.
A Happy Anniversary
It feels like yesterday, but one whirlwind, dense, and brilliant year has passed. That day, Ceuta traveled to the outskirts of Madrid knowing a win would secure promotion early after Real Murcia dropped points at Antequera. Meanwhile, Fuenlabrada was fighting for survival in Primera RFEF.
Backed by 500 traveling fans, Ceuta came out firing. In the 10th minute, Yago Cantero received a pass from Youness to make it 0-1, but Cedric equalized from the penalty spot in the 37th. The final minutes were end-to-end, as a draw suited neither side. In the 86th minute, Víctor Corral headed home a corner from Andy Escudero to send the away supporters and the entire autonomous city into ecstasy, celebrating something historic and unprecedented for generations. This was the memorable lineup: Guille Vallejo; Capa (Almenara, 59′), Carlos Hernández, Yago Cantero, Carlos Redru; Martín Bellotti (Andy Escudero, 59′), Youness; Rubén Díez (Aisar, 84′), Kuki Zalazar (Víctor Corral, 84′), Koné; and Rodri Ríos (Aquino, 64′).
Ceuta’s promotion celebration in style.
AD Ceuta
Now, 365 days later, Ceuta has proven to be no flash in the pan. They are here to stay. “It’s not easy to achieve this. Many people spend their whole lives in football and celebrate nothing. To have risen from Tercera RFEF to Segunda in four years makes us very happy, and the city is overjoyed too. We have a method that improves year by year, but there’s no magic formula—just a lot of love and passion for what we do, and hard work with hope,” Hamido said in an interview with Diario AS. It’s a special week for him as he celebrates 10 years of successful leadership.