Almeria promoted to La Liga

Almeria have been promoted back to La Liga after a 4-0 aggregate win over Girona in the Segunda Division play-off final.

Javi Garcia’s side have spent two seasons in Spain’s second tier following their relegation in 2010-11, but they secured this year’s final promotion place on Saturday after finishing third in the regular season.

Thanks to a solitary goal from Brazilian striker Charles, Almeria picked up a valuable away win in Wednesday’s first leg before recording a comfortable 3-0 victory at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos to confirm their passage back to the La Liga.

Charles bagged a double after highly-rated youngster Aleix Vidal gave the hosts a 17th-minute lead, and the Brazilian forward’s goals took his season tally to an impressive 32.

Almeria join champions Elche and Villarreal in earning promotion and they will be the fifth team from Andalucia in Spain’s top division alongside Sevilla, Real Betis, Granada and Malaga.