Elche's Barcelona loanee Hector Fort sidelined after shoulder operation

MADRID, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Elche defender Hector Fort has undergone an operation on a dislocated left shoulder, the club has confirmed.

The 19-year-old, who is on loan from FC Barcelona with the recently promoted club, suffered the injury as he scored the opening goal in Elche's 4-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on December 21.

"Hector Fort has been operated on by the FC Barcelona medical services after the injury suffered against Rayo Vallecano," explained Elche in a statement.

But it does not disclose how long Fort will be out of action, saying only that his "recovery time will be determined by how the injury progresses."

Fort joined Elche from Barcelona over the summer and has played an increasingly important role at the club, with coach Eder Sarabia using him as a wing-back or even as a wide midfielder ahead of three central defenders.

He has scored one goal in La Liga and another in the Copa del Rey as Elche ends 2025 in a creditable ninth place in the La Liga standings. ■