Lionel Messi subsequently acquired a 100% stake in the club from Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S.(Grupo TH) in September 2026.
History
One of the oldest clubs in the Valencian Community, Eldense enrolled in the Valencian Football Federation in 1924, and started competing in Tercera División 19 years later. It first appeared in Segunda División in the 1956–57 season, narrowly avoiding relegation after finishing in 16th position; the first spell in that tier lasted three years, in a total of five at the professional level.
Match fixing allegations
Chart of CD Eldense league performance 1929–present
On 4 April 2017, Eldense coach Filippo Vito di Pierro and general manager Nobile Capuani were arrested by Spanish authorities on charges of corruption. The detentions occurred after club president David Aguilar made complaints of match fixing following a 0–12 loss to Barcelona B, whilst Eldense player Cheikh Saad said that he had seen Aguilar arguing with di Pierro at half-time of the match, calling the latter a "scoundrel"; subsequently, the former asked La Liga president Javier Tebas to investigate those allegations.
Eldense temporarily suspended all sporting activities, also ending its contract with the Italian investment group represented by Capuani. They also released 12 players, with five people being arrested in connection with the events.
Three consecutive promotions
Eldense spent four years in Tercera División and were promoted to the new fourth level Segunda División RFEF in 2020–21 season due to restructuring of the Spanish football league system. On 28 May 2022, Eldense secured a second consecutive promotion to the new third level Primera Federación after beating Sestao River in the last playoff match. On 25 June 2023, Eldense secured promotion to Segunda División after a draw against Real Madrid Castilla. The play-off finished 4–4 on aggregate meaning Eldense went up due to after having a higher regular season finish. Eldense returned to the second tier after a 59-year absence and achieved three consecutive promotions. After two seasons stay in second division, Eldense was relegated back third division in 2024–25 season, but the club achieved promotion back to second division in 2025–26 season, following a 2–1 win against Atlético Madrileño on 17 May 2026.
Ownership
In September 2026, Argentine footballer Lionel Messi reached a agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of CD Eldense, The club confirmed the agreement on 9 September 2026, stating that the deal was subject to the completion of due diligence, final legal and contractual procedures, and the mandatory authorization of Spain's Consejo Superior de Deportes (High Council for Sports). The shares was previously held by TH Soluciones Group, a Colombian investment group led by Juan Carlos Trujillo, which took control of the club from previous owner Pascual Pérez in October 2025.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Eldense's reserve team, CD Eldense B, was founded in 1994 and plays in the Tercera Federación – Group 6, which corresponds to the sixth tier. A second reserve team named CD Eldense C also existed during the 2002–03 season, playing in Segunda Regional. The C-side also returned to an active status in 2021, and currently plays in Segona FFCV – Group 8.
