Ruben Bover remembers when FC Andorra resembled a ragtag bunch of friends playing a pickup game.

The team didn’t have a designated place to practice, so training sessions were held on whichever pitch was free in the tiny principality on a given day. Bover, having seen enough, called his agent. He was ready to leave.

“The players didn’t have any clothes for training. One was wearing a Milan shirt, another one Real Madrid, another one Barcelona,” the Spanish midfielder told theScore.

A turbulent spell with English lower-league side Barnet almost extinguished Bover’s love for the game. He nearly quit altogether. So it was hard to envision his passion being rekindled near the bottom of Spain’s fifth division with FC Andorra.

Except the club had a trick up its sleeve. Gerard Pique, one of the most decorated footballers in history, was on the line.

“They made me feel like the best player in the world,” Bover recalled of his conversations with FC Andorra owner Pique and sporting director Jaume Nogues. “‘You’re the face of this club,’ and stuff like that.”

They encouraged Bover to stay until he found a better opportunity. Nearly five years later, the first signing of the Pique era is preparing for another season captaining FC Andorra in Spain’s second tier. He harbors ambitions of leading the team against Barcelona and Real Madrid in the near future.

“This club is 100% one day going to be in the first division,” Bover declared. “I don’t know when but (it’s) not far off.”

No more than 40 fans

Four-time Champions League winner and 2010 World Cup champion Pique took over FC Andorra in late 2018 – and it’s not immediately obvious why. The club from the landlocked microstate of Andorra has been the only non-Spanish side to compete in the country’s league system since 1948. Its history featured few achievements. After its peak of reaching the third division in the 1980s and 1990s, it was reeling from two rough decades during which it dropped as low as the seventh tier. The only way into the country is by car; there’s no train station and the nearest airports – in Toulouse, France and Barcelona, Spain – are between two-and-a-half and three hours away.

The clearest obstacle to success, though, is Andorra’s population of around 80,000. Barcelona’s Camp Nou will hold 105,000 spectators once its renovations are completed. Andorra’s mountainous morsel of land is 3% the size of Puerto Rico.

FC Andorra president Ferran Vilaseca recalled the first match after Pique’s consortium completed its takeover.

“Between 30 and 40 people (were) watching the game in the stands – probably family members,” he told theScore.

“The club didn’t have a place to practice. They weren’t playing because the Andorran federation wouldn’t allow them to play in their facilities. So, we really had to change the whole club.”

FC Andorra discovered Bover because he shared an agent with Pique’s former Barcelona and Spain teammate Cesc Fabregas. Nogues, a long-time friend of Pique who was entrusted as sporting director at FC Andorra, says Bover was “much, much better than the level we were playing at.” The former Real Mallorca academy player had offers from higher leagues.

Getting the Bover deal over the line was an early indication of the club’s ambition.

“In a very short period of time we were competing. When we took the club we were fifth from the bottom. We were just one point away from relegation,” Vilaseca said.

“Jaume said, ‘This year, we need to promote them.’ We were all like, ‘Wow. This is going to be difficult.’ But we didn’t lose a game.”

Getting recognition

FC Andorra were promoted by a single point with the help of a 22-match unbeaten run in the fifth division – but they didn’t rise just one level. The dire financial situation of CF Reus, a now-defunct Catalan club, led to their expulsion from the third tier, so Pique and his company Kosmos bid €456,000 to take Reus’ place in the league. Amid reported interest from several teams including Real Jaen – a top-tier side in the 1950s – and ambitious upstarts CF Intercity, it was FC Andorra who seized the chance to climb the ladder.

Most sides would try to survive after enjoying the extremely rare fortune of a double promotion, but one mid-table finish was followed by another promotion on the penultimate day of the 2021-22 campaign. In three-and-a-half years, FC Andorra swapped the threat of relegation to the sixth rung for second-tier football. The journey featured clashes with emerging stars like Barcelona’s Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo and new Chelsea signing Nicolas Jackson.

Such success doesn’t go unnoticed. Unai Emery, a winner of four Europa League crowns, recently named FC Andorra – along with Arsenal, Napoli, Villarreal, and Brighton & Hove Albion – as one of his favorite teams to watch. FC Andorra haven’t compromised on their possession-based, positive playing style against tougher opposition in Spain; in fact, Nogues notes, the team’s approach is “more radical and purer” since Eder Sarabia, the restless assistant during Quique Setien’s ill-fated Barcelona reign, took charge in January 2021.

FC Andorra are open about the influence Pique’s former club has on the team’s identity – it would be ridiculous to shy away from it. This is Barca Lite. Seven members of last season’s squad have spent some of their career with the Catalonian giants, and Nogues continually finds players who possess the technical ability typical of those schooled in the famed La Masia academy. Pique’s former Barcelona teammate Gabri and ex-Barca B boss Nacho Castro preceded Sarabia in the dugout.

So, FC Andorra’s football isn’t necessarily revolutionary. It’s just well executed.

“There are heaps of teams that play in a similar way and maybe we are more notorious for who we are and who we have behind us, but we love that people admire this,” Nogues said of praise from Aston Villa head coach Emery and others.

‘It’s been a nightmare’

FC Andorra’s inaugural season in La Liga 2 ended with an excellent seventh-placed finish – just one position shy of the promotion playoff places. Progress continued despite the club having the cheapest squad in the league, according to Nogues, and it’ll likely have among the five lowest budgets next season.

“You get what you generate, and we don’t generate that much,” Vilaseca admitted.

The financial restrictions enforced in Spain’s top two divisions could herald a spell of consolidation – and that might be a good thing. FC Andorra can catch up with its own success. “The team has risen faster than we expected. So, for the club, it’s difficult to get to the same level,” Nogues said.

FC Andorra are still trying to transition from a fifth-tier to second-tier outfit. What started as a group of three people running the club is developing into several teams behind the scenes covering administration, marketing, and commercial interests. The club is also working to meet La Liga’s infrastructure-related expectations, but that’s proving difficult when the tiny amount of Andorran real estate available is so expensive. A project to build a 6,000-capacity stadium had to be abandoned due to prohibitive costs, and the club is now working on building a similar home in an alternative location.

“Finding a piece of land big enough to actually achieve (La Liga’s) requirements – it’s been a nightmare,” Vilaseca said, noting that La Liga is giving the club time to resolve an issue as one side of its current stadium is unable to house fans.

“It’s not only the pitch, but it’s the training facilities, the locker rooms, places where the coach can work. It’s not that easy.”

There are also concerns that FC Andorra lack local identity. Argentina-born goalkeeper Nico Ratti is widely considered Andorran since he moved to the country as a boy, but he’s the only first-team player with strong ties to the area. The club has the same nickname and colors as Andorra’s national team, and 44% of it is under the ownership of businessmen originally hailing from Andorra, but its strong Catalonian flavor is unmistakable.

“In many people’s opinion, it is not a very close club to the country, to its traditions,” Ivan Alvarez Cauyola, a journalist with Diari d’Andorra, told theScore. “The project has only been going on for five years and many people do not feel the club as an Andorran project.”

‘Football is not a priority’

Perhaps an ambitious football team in Andorra is an awkward fit. FC Andorra’s average crowd last season was 2,041, marking a huge improvement from the start of the Pique era but still representing the lowest attendance in La Liga 2 and 19% below the league average. Vilaseca mentions Villarreal and Eibar, and Bover namechecks Girona, as overachievers from who FC Andorra can draw inspiration, but they’re Spanish clubs.

Spain is a football nation. Andorra isn’t, and it might be caving under the weight of Pique’s ambition.

“Andorra is a very conservative country in many things and football is not a priority, nor the most practiced sport, nor is it the one with the most fans in the country,” Alvarez Cauyola explained.

Adolfo Baines, who won trophies in domestic competitions as manager of Inter Club d’Escaldes in Andorra’s Primera Division, grew frustrated with the country’s lack of concern for football. He now coaches Catalonian outfit Pobla de Mafumet in Spain’s extensive fifth tier.

“The administration in Andorra doesn’t collaborate enough. They prefer to invest money in skiing or even rugby – rugby is the sport of the elite,” Baines said.

“It’s difficult to develop football,” he added.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. FC Andorra’s attendances are modest, but they’re creeping toward the club’s reasonable target of an average between 4,000-6,000. They’ve had breakthroughs with the local government – taking temporary control of the country’s national stadium over VPC Andorra XV, a rugby union team, should be deemed a significant victory. Alvarez Cauyola believes that “little by little, football has been exciting people.” It’s a gradual process, and there’s still plenty of work to be done.

“We don’t have time to actually digest and celebrate what we have achieved,” Vilaseca said. “We’re just thinking of what’s next.”

With the summer transfer period in full swing, the rumor mill is in overdrive on a daily basis throughout world football. theScore will keep you up to date on all the latest transfer buzz until the end of the window.

July 11

Saudis land another star: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is joining Al Hilal in a €40-million transfer from Lazio. The imposing Serbian, the latest star to make the lucrative move, will sign a three-year contract. (Fabrizio Romano)

Big Bernardo Silva offer: Al Hilal have informed Manchester City that they’re willing to fork over €70 million for the versatile Portuguese international, who has been one of the hottest names on the market this summer. (CBS Sports)

Kane wants Bayern: Tottenham superstar Harry Kane, already the subject of two Bayern Munich bids – both rejected by Spurs – is keen on joining the Bundesliga champions. A third offer is being considered. (Julien Laurens)

Onana signing close: Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana’s transfer to Manchester United is “advanced” and could be completed as early as this week once all the necessary documents have been finalized. (Daily Mail)

Lukaku saga rumbles on: The Belgian striker has been told he doesn’t have to report for preseason training until next week, with Chelsea hopeful a deal with Inter can be sealed before then. (Matt Law)

Maguire won’t come cheap: He may no longer be a key member of the team, but Manchester United will still demand around £50 million this summer for much-maligned defender Harry Maguire. (Manchester Evening News)

Caicedo talks up Chelsea: Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo called Chelsea a “very big, historic and beautiful club” amid rumors of a potential transfer. The two clubs are engaged in talks. (El Universo)

Cherki to replace Pulisic: With Christian Pulisic on his way to AC Milan, Chelsea are preparing an offer for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki. The 19-year-old has a contract until 2025 and is valued at €40 million by the French side. (ESPN)

Reece James’ loyalty: Despite interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea right-back James has pledged his allegiance to the Blues. The 23-year-old wants to become the new captain at Stamford Bridge. (Beautiful Game Podcast)

Chelsea’s striker search: For all the money already spent under Todd Boehly’s reign, Chelsea still need a striker. Their current targets are Elye Wahi of Montpellier and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic. (Evening Standard)

Juve’s contingency plan: Juventus have identified West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca and Noah Okafor of Red Bull Salzburg as potential replacements if Vlahovic leaves Turin this summer. (Gianluca Di Marzio).

Barca looking to offload: After a disappointing 2022-23 season, Ferran Torres could be loaned out by Barcelona. The club would be willing to include a purchase option for any interested suitors, too. (Diario Sport)

PSG ready to make another splash: Paris Saint-Germain, already one of the busiest teams in the summer window, are leading the race for Randal Kolo Muani, the 24-year-old striker from Eintracht Frankfurt. (The Independent)

Liverpool want Schuurs: Torino center-back Perr Schuurs, 23, is being monitored by Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who are looking to add defensive depth without breaking the bank. (Football Insider)

ASM could be sold: Newcastle could sacrifice winger Allan Saint-Maximin, a fan favorite at St. James’ Park, to help fund a move for Harvey Barnes, who is expected to leave Leicester City after relegation. (The Telegraph)

Milan active on multiple fronts: AC Milan are working to strike a deal for midfielder Tijjani Reijnders of AZ Alkmaar, while the Rossoneri are also monitoring both Mehdi Taremi and Samuel Chukwueze. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

Angelino on the move again: The left-back’s nomadic career is set to continue at Galatasaray after the Turkish club agreed to sign him from RB Leipzig on loan with a purchase option. (Fabrizio Romano)

July 10

The Mbappe domino effect: Should Kylian Mbappe depart PSG this summer amid his contract standoff, the French giants would turn around and submit an opulent offer for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Man United eyeing Amrabat: Manchester United are monitoring Fiorentina’s Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat. While a move isn’t advanced right now, it could become a “hot topic” later in the window. (Florian Plettenberg)

Hojlund talks ongoing: The Red Devils are hot on the heels of Rasmus Hojlund and are preparing a second bid after their initial €40-million offer was rebuffed. Atalanta want €60 million for the 20-year-old Dane. (Nicolo Schira)

Timber’s deal done: Jurrien Timber’s move from Ajax to Arsenal is only missing the official announcement. The Dutch defender, 22, completed his Arsenal medical before returning home for a farewell party. (Metro)

Mourinho eyes reunion: Jose Mourinho wants to reunite with Scott McTominay at Roma. The Portuguese boss is a big admirer of the Scottish midfielder from their time together at Manchester United. (Football Transfers)

Gerrard recruiting Zaha: New Al-Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard talked with Wilfried Zaha in an effort to convince the free agent to head to Saudi Arabia. Zaha, 30, has an offer on the table to return to Crystal Palace. (Daily Mail)

Wolfsburg won’t budge: If Tottenham don’t meet the £40-million valuation for defender Micky van de Ven, Wolfsburg will happily keep hold of the young Dutchman for another season. (Wolfsburger Allgemeine)

UEFA on Friday authorised AC Milan, Aston Villa and Brighton to take part in European competitions next season after they made changes to avoid potential conflict with the multi-club ownership rule.

Seven-time European champions Milan share the same US owners, RedBird Capital Partners, as French Cup winners Toulouse, while Villa’s owners have a stake in Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom became the majority shareholder of Union Saint-Gilloise when he bought the Belgian side in 2018.

European football’s governing body had appointed investigators to study the links between the teams in question, but said it was now satisfied “no one has control or decisive influence over more than one club” participating in its competitions.

“Following the implementation of significant changes by the clubs and their related investors, the CFCB First Chamber accepted the admission of the aforementioned clubs to the UEFA club competitions for the 2023/24 season,” UEFA said in a statement.

“The CFCB found that the significant changes implemented brought the clubs into compliance with the multi-club ownership rule.

It added: “These changes substantially restrict the investors’ influence and decision-making power over more than one club, ensuring compliance with the multi-club ownership rule.”

UEFA has multi-club ownership regulations in place to protect the integrity of its competitions when such teams could be drawn to play each other.

Rules do not allow a club to hold or deal in securities or shares of another club playing in a European competition and no club can be a member of any other club participating in UEFA competitions.

Additionally, no person has the power to be “simultaneously involved” in the management, administration or sporting performance of more than one club.

As part of complying with the rules, none of the affected clubs will be able to transfer players to each other, whether permanently or on loan, until September 2024.

Milan are due to play in the Champions League, with Brighton, Union and Toulouse in the Europa League. Villa and Vitoria are both in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League.