Raúl Rodríguez (footballer)

Raúl Rodríguez Navarro (Spanish pronunciation: [raˈul roˈðɾiɣeθ]; born 22 September 1987) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Raúl Rodríguez
Rodríguez playing for Catalonia in 2013
Personal information
Full nameRaúl Rodríguez Navarro
Date of birth (1987-09-22) 22 September 1987 (age 36)
Place of birthBarcelona, Spain
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)Centre-back
Youth career
1999–2006Josep Gené
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2006–2007Vilassar Mar
2007–2010Gramenet83(3)
2010–2011Espanyol B14(0)
2010–2015Espanyol80(0)
2015–2016Houston Dynamo52(3)
2017Shanghai Shenxin28(3)
2018Meizhou Meixian Techand3(0)
2019Al-Arabi3(0)
Total263(9)
International career
2011Catalonia1(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played 92 matches for Espanyol, and subsequently competed in the United States, China and Kuwait.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Rodríguez made his professional debut with UDA Gramenet, going on to play three full Segunda División B seasons with the team. In summer 2010 he signed for neighbouring RCD Espanyol, being initially assigned to their reserves.[1]

After Víctor Ruiz was sold in the 2011 January transfer window, and Juan Forlín suffered a serious injury, Rodríguez was propelled to the first team by manager Mauricio Pochettino.[2] On 27 November 2010 he made his La Liga debut, coming on as a substitute for Dani Osvaldo in the last minute of a 3–2 away win against Atlético Madrid,[3] and finished his first professional season with ten appearances, including eight starts.[4]

Rodríguez was definitely promoted to the main squad on 1 August 2011.[5] He renewed his contract with the club in June 2012, running until 2015.[6]

On 8 January 2015, having been completely ostracised by new coach Sergio, Rodríguez cut ties with the Pericos as his link was due to expire on 30 June.[7]

Abroad

On 9 January 2015, Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer announced they had signed Rodríguez.[8] He made his debut for his new team on 8 March, being replaced in injury time of a 1–0 home win over the Columbus Crew.[9] His first goal came on 26 April, in a 4–4 draw against Sporting Kansas City.[10]

After leaving the United States, Rodríguez played for China League One pair Shanghai Shenxin F.C. and Meizhou Meixian Techand F.C. before signing for Al-Arabi SC of the Kuwaiti Premier League in 2019. He was signed for all three clubs by compatriot manager Juan Ignacio Martínez.[11]

International career

Rodríguez was never capped by Spain at any level. He played one match for the Catalonia representative side on 30 December 2011, a goalless draw with Tunisia at his club ground the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as a half-time substitute for Gerard Piqué.[12]

Career statistics

As of match played on 31 March 2018
ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gramenet2007–08[13]Segunda División B28000280
2008–09[13]Segunda División B23100231
2009–10[13]Segunda División B32210332
Total83310843
Espanyol2010–11[13]La Liga10000100
2011–12[13]La Liga28040320
2012–13[13]La Liga22010230
2013–14[13]La Liga19050240
2014–15[13]La Liga102030
Total800120920
Houston Dynamo2015[14]Major League Soccer27210282
2016[14]Major League Soccer25121272
Total52331554
Shanghai Shenxin2017[15]China League One28360343
Meizhou Meixian Techand2018[15]China League One300030
Career total2469220002689

References

External links