With the conclusion of the 2017/18 La Liga season, we’re handing out of end-of-season awards and this time we look at the signing of the season.

SIGNING OF THE SEASON

Geoffrey Kondogbia (Valencia)

Any regular La Liga viewers will have screamed in the direction of Didier Deschamps when the France squad was announced minus Kondogbia.

The 25-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s most complete midfielders this season, resurrecting his career on loan at Valencia following a disastrous spell with parent club Inter Milan.

Los Che hope to make the deal permanent in the summer and it’s no surprise considering he led the way in practically every statistic.

There are very few players in world football who are able to mesh the athletic gifts of power, pace balance and agility with intelligence, technique and touch.

A masterclass season from the Frenchman.

WORTHY MENTIONS

Marc Bartra (Real Betis)

Real Betis’ expansive style in a 3-4-2-1 naturally puts a lot of pressure on the back thre,e but the signing of Barta from Borussia Dortmund in January proved to be a masterstroke. He would often spark Betis’ attacks from the back and has become far more assured defensively, as well.

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

Costa’s impact is perhaps more indirect than direct but when the Spain international was free to play after the club’s transfer ban, he helped Antoine Griezmann flourish. The Frenchman struggled in the early part of the campaign as the lone spearhead but alongside Costa the terrible, the pair formed one of the league’s perfect partnerships.

Neto (Valencia)

The departure of Brazilian Diego Alves left a sizable hole for Los Che, but his countryman Neto has emerged as one of the outstanding stoppers in La Liga. His €7 million deal from Juventus is looking like an absolute bargain and he made the second-most saves in Spain this season with 110. He was desperately unlucky to miss out on the travelling party to Russia this summer.