The Orlen Wisla Plock continues reinforcing its European project with heavyweight signings. Following Melvyn Richardson's arrival a year ago, the Polish club has just completed the signing of Oriol Rey, a 32-year-old Catalan pivot who becomes the third ex-Barcelona player in the squad, according to mundodeportivo.com. A team that has already started pre-season and appears set to be an uncomfortable opponent in the upcoming Champions League.

An award-winning defender arrives in Płock

Oriol Rey is not a random signing. The pivot, standing 1.90 metres tall, has been named best defender in the ASOBAL League in the 2024-25 season and also received the same award in the Macedonian League in the past campaign. His recent honours are enviable: just a few months ago he won the EHF European Cup with GRK Ohrid, the third most important continental tournament.

Rey arrives in Płock to fill the position left by Mirsad Terzic, who is retiring as a player to join the coaching staff of Xavi Sabaté, the manager who has now spent nine seasons in charge of the Polish team. A generational change aimed at maintaining the team's defensive level without sacrificing experience.

A Catalan with consolidated European experience

Although he came through Barcelona's youth academy, Rey was not a fixture in the first team. His career took off abroad: he played for French clubs Aix-en-Provence and Nice before returning to the ASOBAL League in 2021 as defensive leader of Fraikin BM Granollers.

At Granollers, Rey combined professional handball with work as a doctor at a health centre in Sant Celoni. With the Catalans he enjoyed memorable moments, including a notable victory at Flensburg that led to the EHF European League final, where Granollers fell to Füchse Berlin. Now, in Płock, he will have the opportunity to fight again for the highest continental honours.

Wisla strengthens its Barcelona trio

With Rey's signing, Wisla now boasts three ex-Barcelona players in its squad:

• Oriol Rey (pivot, youth academy product).
• Abel Serdio (pivot, at the club since 2020), whose career has improved considerably in Płock and is now being considered by Spanish national team coach Jordi Ribera.
• Melvyn Richardson (French right wing, signed in 2024) seeking prominence after competing at Barcelona with his compatriot Dika Mem.

An accumulation of Barcelona talent that reflects how Wisla Plock has positioned itself as an attractive destination for players with top-level experience.

Declared ambition for Europe

Rey has expressed his enthusiasm in the club's official statement. "I am eager to begin this new stage and join such a wonderful team. I arrive full of enthusiasm, keen to work hard and continue growing," said the Catalan pivot. "I will give everything for this club and my teammates to fight for great objectives and achieve important successes".

For his part, Adam Wisniewski, Wisla's sporting director, is in no doubt about the signing's qualities: "Oriol is a top-class defender with excellent physical condition and extensive experience in the best European leagues. I am confident he will adapt perfectly to our aggressive style". Wisniewski adds that he believes Rey will be "an important asset for us to return to the top in Poland and aim for more in Europe".

A European project under construction

Wisla Plock makes no secret of its intentions: it seeks to be a major player in the upcoming Champions League. With Richardson providing leadership on the wing, Serdio consolidated in the backcourt and now Rey strengthening a defence that needed reinforcement, the Polish team presents itself as a formidable opponent for upcoming European competitions.

Will these ex-Barcelona players manage to lead Wisla Plock to a Final Four of the top continental competition? The coming months will tell.