The Sporting Directorate of Club Deportivo Guadalajara, led by Javier Mier, has reached contract renewal agreements with three important players in key positions. These deals guarantee midfield stability, internal competition in goal, and long-term attacking projection for Chivas.
Omar Govea, Óscar Whalley, and Santiago Sandoval have reaffirmed their commitment to El Rebaño Sagrado, ensuring the club retains two proven players who bring experience and solidity, while also securing the continued development of a homegrown talent within the First Team.
Omar Govea
The midfielder, who will remain in red and white through 2027, has established himself as a regular presence in the engine room. A large share of Guadalajara’s possession flows through his feet, as he consistently offers support and positions himself near the ball’s circulation zones. He stands out for his decision-making, intelligence both on and off the ball, and vision.
In the current tournament, Govea has completed 381 passes with a 95 percent accuracy rate. He has been involved in 5 of Chivas’ 11 goals, recovered 27 balls, and recorded 6 successful defensive one-on-one duels.
Óscar Whalley
The tall goalkeeper renewed his contract through 2027. His presence ensures healthy internal competition, serving as a strong competitive backup to “Tala” Rangel thanks to his European experience and pedigree, which adds hierarchy to the squad.
Whalley’s main strengths include his footwork and sharp reflexes in close-range situations. He provides reliability and is always ready to step up in key moments, particularly when Rangel is absent due to commitments with the Mexican National Team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Santiago Sandoval
The Rojiblanca Academy product extended his contract through 2029. From his first minutes on the field, he made clear why Gabriel Milito identified him as a talent shortly after arriving on Guadalajara’s bench. His development has accelerated rapidly—he began his path with the U-14 team in 2022 and, just three years later, made his top-flight debut in Matchday 2 of Apertura 2025 against León.
The talented youngster can operate as a winger on either flank or as an attacking midfielder, thanks to his agility, refined ball control, and cultured left foot. Though still in the consolidation phase of his career, he undoubtedly possesses the qualities to shine.
With experience, present value, and future projection, Chivas reaffirms its commitment to building a competitive squad that honors its history and makes its 40 million supporters proud.
