Ben Archer Signs with CD Leganés for the 2026/27 Season

We’re proud to announce that Australian footballer Ben Archer has officially signed with Spanish club CD Leganés for the 2026/27 season.

Fourteen months ago, no coach from Europe had ever watched Ben play. A Newcastle boy who came through the Newcastle Jets Academy and Blacktown City before playing NPL Boys Youth League with Sydney Olympic, Ben was competing at the highest level available for his age in Australia, but like so many talented young players here, there was no clear road from that to a European club.

That changed in July 2025, when CD Leganés coaches attending one of our Elite Football events in Australia identified him. The feedback was direct: Ben had strong defensive foundations and a mature understanding of his role, but needed to defend more aggressively and keep building physically to cope with the demands of a higher level. He took it on. By the time the coaches saw him again, the reports described a defender who played on the front foot with an aggressive, proactive mentality. The exact area he’d been asked to develop.

In January 2026, Ben flew to Spain for a three-month stint with Leganés and AD Torrejón. He impressed enough that the club wanted him back and this time for the full season.

It’s another significant step towards his dream of playing professional football, and as one of the younger players making the transition into men’s football at the club, a real challenge.

Reflecting on Ben’s progress, Elite Football CEO Alan Deriard said:

“Ben is a good kid. Humble, hardworking and hungry for more. He’s someone who has earned this opportunity through his attitude and willingness to improve. As one of the younger players making the transition into men’s football at the club, he has an exciting challenge ahead of him. I have no doubt that with time, he’ll earn his place. I’m excited to see how far he can take this opportunity.”

For Ben, returning to Spain is a chance to build on the work he has already put in. He also acknowledged the people helping him prepare for the season:

“Really proud to have this opportunity with CD Leganés. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here and I’m grateful to have the chance to keep developing my football in Spain. A massive thank you to Elite Football, especially Maurice, Juan and Matias, for all their support and for helping make this opportunity possible. Also a big thanks to my strength and conditioning coach Matt Cahill for all the work he put into getting me physically ready for Spain and the ongoing support and training he continues to provide remotely. I am really grateful to CD Leganés for giving me this opportunity and am looking forward to seeing where this takes me.”

Behind every player who makes this step is a family that backs them.

From being identified at an EFA event in Australia to a full season with CD Leganés, Ben is proof of what the pathway looks like when a player takes honest feedback and does the work.

Congratulations, Ben. We’re proud to be part of your journey and can’t wait to see what you achieve this season.