| Raúl Albiol |
| Personal information |
| Full name |
Raúl Albiol Tortajada |
| Date of birth |
September 4, 1985 (1985-09-04) (age 22) |
| Place of birth |
Valencia, Spain |
| Height |
1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in) |
| Playing position |
Centre back/defensive midfielder |
| Club information |
| Current club |
Valencia CF |
| Number |
4 |
| Youth clubs |
| 1997–2004 |
Valencia CF Mestalla |
| Senior clubs1 |
| Years |
Club |
App (Gls)* |
2004–2005
2005– |
→ Getafe CF (loan)
Valencia CF |
19 (1)
92 (3) |
| National team2 |
| 2007– |
Spain |
04 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of April 26, 2008.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of June 6, 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)
|
Raúl Albiol Tortajada (born 4 September 1985 in Valencia) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central defender/defensive midfielder for Valencia CF.
|
Contents
- 1 Club career
- 2 International career
- 3 Honours
- 4 External links
|
Club career
Albiol's father was a famous player for the Spanish football club Benidorm CD. Whilst his father still had contacts at Benidorm, Albiol joined the side's under-9 and in a friendly match against Valencia he played impressively, signing on trial with the La Liga side.
In 2004-05, Albiol had a stint with newly promoted Madrid side Getafe CF, debuting on January 15, 2005, in a 1-1 home draw with Atlético Madrid. He returned the following season, and quickly established himself as first-choice, whether as a stopper or as an holding midfielder.
In the opening game of the 2006/07's league campaign, Albiol scored the winner (his only goal of the season) against Real Betis, as the game finished 2-1. He also netted a screamer against Olympiakos of Greece on September 12, 2006, in the UEFA Champions League 2006-07, which Valencia won 4-2.
International career
After having represented the under-21s, Albiol debuted for the main squad on October 13, 2007, in an Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark (3-1 away win).
Honours
Valencia
