Getafe unveiled Orel Mangala as their newest squad member on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Belgian midfielder joins on loan from Olympique Lyonnais until the end of the 2026/27 season, under the agreement the club announced last week, and spoke to the media a few days before the start of LaLiga.

The Belgium international explained that the way he was treated was decisive in accepting the move. “I chose Getafe because, at this point in my career, after a long injury I need to feel affection, and that is what Getafe gave me,” he said. “They showed me affection and, when you feel that the people around you want you that much, for me there was no doubt about coming here.” He added that the club's involvement in European competition made the proposal even more appealing.

Mangala described himself as a complete midfielder ready to take responsibility. “I see myself as a player with quality on the ball and as a leader. I am 28 and I think I have a lot of experience that I can now bring to the team: my leadership, my quality on the ball and also my defensive qualities,” he said. “I have played in many leagues and many matches, so I think I can bring that to this team.”

On his physical condition, the Belgian said he arrives ready to compete straight away: “I did a full pre-season before coming to Getafe, so I feel ready to help the team and I am excited about the first match.” He acknowledged that he had carried a serious injury and that last season he suffered setbacks as he regained competitive rhythm. “Going from zero to a hundred was hard on the muscle. But now, after the summer break, I think it has done my body a lot of good. And now I am more than ready.”

The new midfielder devoted part of his appearance to José Bordalás. “He is a charismatic coach. I like his personality and he also has good ideas on the pitch,” he said. “I think he is the right man right now to lead the team and achieve our objectives.” He also described Getafe from an opponent's point of view: “They were a very difficult club to play against. They put in a lot of intensity and competed in LaLiga, they did not go down. In recent years they have shown they can even compete for European places. So yes, that is our objective this year.”

Mangala arrives with experience in four of Europe's major leagues. A product of the youth ranks at RRC Etterbeek and RSC Anderlecht, he continued his development in the Borussia Dortmund academy and made the step into professional football at VfB Stuttgart. His form in Germany opened the door to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, before he joined Olympique Lyonnais. He is a full Belgium international with 23 caps.

Of LaLiga he said he has followed it for a long time and expects to find a different kind of football from his previous spells: “Perhaps the tempo of the matches is a little slower than in the other leagues I have played in, but there are definitely great teams here, with a lot of quality on the ball and attractive football.” Getafe open the campaign this weekend at Mendizorroza, the ground where the Belgian hopes to begin building his time in blue: “I come here to write my own history and I hope it starts this weekend.”

He closed the press conference with a promise about the language. He said he took Spanish lessons during his time in Germany because he enjoys learning languages, which is why he understands it. “I promise you that in three or four months I will speak Spanish fluently,” he said.