Costa del Sol Malaga will start next season without one of its most important players. Joana Resende, the Portuguese center back who has been an undisputed starter for the women’s handball team, will not renew her contract with the Malaga club and will look for a new professional destination at the end of the current season.

The decision, confirmed by sources close to the player, has come as a surprise to some of the fans. Resende, 27, has been one of the best defenders in the Iberdrola League this season, and her departure poses a significant challenge for Costa del Sol’s sports management.

The Malaga club has not made any public statements on the matter, although everything suggests they are already working on finding a similar profile to fill the gap left by the Portuguese player.

Costa del Sol, still fighting for the top spots in the standings, faces the final games of the season with the goal of finishing the year in the best possible way.