Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Prison, Now Finds a New Club: Rafa Mir Loaned to Aris
The Spanish striker, convicted of rape pending appeal, continues his career in Greece, with Sevilla's deal including a purchase option.
The Spanish striker, convicted of rape pending appeal, continues his career in Greece, with Sevilla's deal including a purchase option.
Less than two months after a court in Valencia handed down a non-final sentence of eight and a half years in prison, Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has found a new club. The 29-year-old Sevilla striker has been officially loaned to Greek top-flight side Aris Thessaloniki, the Andalusian club confirmed on Tuesday.
In a statement, Sevilla said the agreement between the two clubs includes an option to buy the player at the end of the loan. Aris also announced that an agreement has already been reached with Mir's representatives to sign a one-year contract after the loan expires, which would extend the collaboration until the summer of 2028. His current contract with Sevilla, as well as the loan itself, expires in the summer of 2027.
The incident that led to the trial occurred on September 1, 2024, at Mir's home in Bétera, near Valencia. According to sources, he and a friend met two women at a nightclub, after which they all went to the player's home. Mir was arrested the following day, September 2, and spent two nights in police custody.
During the proceedings, he admitted to sexual relations but claimed they were consensual. In June 2026, the court sentenced him, pending appeal, to eight and a half years in prison for rape, assault, and causing bodily harm. In addition to the prison sentence, he was also handed a two-year ban from playing in La Liga.
At the time of the incident, Mir was a Valencia player, having come through their youth academy. The club did not release him but suspended him for two matches and fined him. Before returning to Spain, the striker played for English club Wolverhampton, and he joined Sevilla in 2021. For the Andalusian club, he has made 105 appearances and scored 24 goals, also featuring in European competitions. Last season, he spent on loan at Elche, where he scored eight goals in 29 matches. Internationally, he represented Spain at youth levels.
