Adrián López Álvarez
Encyclopedia
Adrián López Álvarez, simply Adrián (born 8 January 1988 in Teverga
, Asturias
), is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid as a forward.
's youth system, Adrián quickly made the transition into Oviedo’s first squad, scoring twice in 26 matches, while playing in Segunda División B
. However, he didn’t have a professional contract because he was a youth player, and the only way to acquire his services for free was to offer him a professional contract.
Deportivo de La Coruña
obliged and, in October 2006, Oviedo were given a €
330.000 compensation by the La Liga
side. Adrián's finest moment of the 2006–07 season arrived when, on 31 March 2007, he entered Deportivo’s league match in the Camp Nou
in the 61st minute. Although FC Barcelona
won it 2–1, he managed to score with a clever touch; it was his only league goal of the campaign, in 15 appearances (six starts, 750 minutes).
After receiving few first team opportunities during 2007–08, Adrián was loaned to Segunda División
strugglers Deportivo Alavés
, in March 2008. After helping the Basque
team avoid relegation with three league goals, he returned to A Coruña
to be loaned again, on 14 August, now to newly-promoted
Málaga CF
, on a season-long deal.
On 28 September 2008, Adrián scored his first goal for Málaga, in a 2–1 home win over Real Valladolid
, and appeared regularly throughout the season, albeit without a good scoring record (only three goals). For 2009–10
, he returned to Deportivo, where he began to feature prominently in the starting XI, in various offensive positions. On 23 March 2010, he equalized for 10-men (eventually nine) Depor at Sporting de Gijón
, in a final 1–2 loss.
Adrián continued to appear regularly for Deportivo in the 2010–11 campaign
, again as a starter. In the season
's Copa del Rey
, the Galicians faced Córdoba CF
in the round of 16: after a 1–1 draw in Andalusia
, he scored the 1–1 in the 90th minute
of the second leg, taking the match to extra time
, where he netted two more (3–1 win) to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. He finished the season as the team's top scorer at eight (in 36 games), but Deportivo returned to the second division after 20 years.
. He signed for the club on 19 July 2011, agreeing to a four-year contract. Nine days later, in his official debut, he assisted
in both José Antonio Reyes
goals in a 2–1 home win against Strømsgodset IF, for the season
's UEFA Europa League. In the second leg, he scored the opening goal for in a 2–0 success.
In the same competition, on 25 August 2011, Adrián added a brace in a 4–0 away win against Vitória de Guimarães (6–0 on aggregate), which ensured Atlético's qualification to the group stage. His first league goal came in a 4–0 home win against Racing de Santander
on 18 September, heading in the closer from an Arda Turan
cross.
As volatile Reyes became increasingly disgruntled with his reserve status at the club, Adrián firmly established himself in the starting XI. In two games separated by only five days, he scored four goals, netting braces against Real Zaragoza
in the league (3–1 home win) and Udinese Calcio
(4–0, also at home) in the Europa League.
held in Canada
, Adrián scored a hat-trick
for Spain
on 7 July, in the final group stage game against Jordan
, with all three goals coming in a span of 10 minutes, late in the first half.
Subsequently, he represented the under-21s
in two UEFA European Championships
. In the 2011 edition
in Denmark
, Adrián scored a brace in a 2–0 group stage win against the Czech Republic
, adding another in the next match against Ukraine
(3–0). In the semifinal against Belarus
, he scored the late 1–1 equalizer which took the game into extra time, adding another in that period in an eventual 3–1 success; he was awarded the Golden Boot as the highest scorer in the tournament.
Teverga
Teverga is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the north by Belmonte de Miranda, Grado, Yernes y Tameza, and Proaza; to the south by León province, to the west by Somiedo and to the east by Quirós and Proaza.Formerly a mining area,...
, Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
), is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid as a forward.
Oviedo / Deportivo
A product of Real OviedoReal Oviedo
Real Oviedo is a Spanish football club based in Oviedo, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded on 26 March 1926, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 2....
's youth system, Adrián quickly made the transition into Oviedo’s first squad, scoring twice in 26 matches, while playing in Segunda División B
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
. However, he didn’t have a professional contract because he was a youth player, and the only way to acquire his services for free was to offer him a professional contract.
Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
obliged and, in October 2006, Oviedo were given a €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
330.000 compensation by the La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
side. Adrián's finest moment of the 2006–07 season arrived when, on 31 March 2007, he entered Deportivo’s league match in the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
in the 61st minute. Although FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
won it 2–1, he managed to score with a clever touch; it was his only league goal of the campaign, in 15 appearances (six starts, 750 minutes).
After receiving few first team opportunities during 2007–08, Adrián was loaned to Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
strugglers Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, in March 2008. After helping the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
team avoid relegation with three league goals, he returned to A Coruña
A Coruña
A Coruña or La Coruña is a city and municipality of Galicia, Spain. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community and seventeenth overall in the country...
to be loaned again, on 14 August, now to newly-promoted
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
, on a season-long deal.
On 28 September 2008, Adrián scored his first goal for Málaga, in a 2–1 home win over Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
, and appeared regularly throughout the season, albeit without a good scoring record (only three goals). For 2009–10
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, he returned to Deportivo, where he began to feature prominently in the starting XI, in various offensive positions. On 23 March 2010, he equalized for 10-men (eventually nine) Depor at Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
, in a final 1–2 loss.
Adrián continued to appear regularly for Deportivo in the 2010–11 campaign
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, again as a starter. In the season
2010–11 Copa del Rey
The 2010–11 Copa del Rey was the 107th staging of the Copa del Rey. The competition began on August 21, 2010 and ended on April 20, 2011 with the final, held at the Estadio Mestalla in Valencia, in which Real Madrid lifted the trophy for the eighteenth time in their history with a 1–0 victory over...
's Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
, the Galicians faced Córdoba CF
Córdoba CF
Córdoba Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Córdoba, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1954, it plays in Segunda División, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel, with a capacity of 18,280 seats....
in the round of 16: after a 1–1 draw in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
, he scored the 1–1 in the 90th minute
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
of the second leg, taking the match to extra time
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
, where he netted two more (3–1 win) to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. He finished the season as the team's top scorer at eight (in 36 games), but Deportivo returned to the second division after 20 years.
Atlético Madrid
Adrián was cleared to join Atlético Madrid on a free transfer, after it was ruled he was a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He signed for the club on 19 July 2011, agreeing to a four-year contract. Nine days later, in his official debut, he assisted
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
in both José Antonio Reyes
José Antonio Reyes
José Antonio Reyes Calderón is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid.Mainly a left winger but also a forward, he made his professional debuts for hometown's Sevilla at only 16, signing with England's Arsenal aged 20.After a relatively successful career abroad, Reyes...
goals in a 2–1 home win against Strømsgodset IF, for the season
2011–12 UEFA Europa League
The 2011–12 UEFA Europa League is the third season of the competition since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup. It began on 30 June 2011 with the first legs of the first qualifying round, and will end on 9 May 2012 with the final to be held at Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania...
's UEFA Europa League. In the second leg, he scored the opening goal for in a 2–0 success.
In the same competition, on 25 August 2011, Adrián added a brace in a 4–0 away win against Vitória de Guimarães (6–0 on aggregate), which ensured Atlético's qualification to the group stage. His first league goal came in a 4–0 home win against Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
on 18 September, heading in the closer from an Arda Turan
Arda Turan
Arda Turan is a Turkish footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid and the Turkish national team, as a left winger. At the age of 22, prior to the 2009–10 season he was made the captain of Galatasaray....
cross.
As volatile Reyes became increasingly disgruntled with his reserve status at the club, Adrián firmly established himself in the starting XI. In two games separated by only five days, he scored four goals, netting braces against Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
in the league (3–1 home win) and Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
(4–0, also at home) in the Europa League.
International career
In the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
held in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Adrián scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for Spain
Spain national under-20 football team
The Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
on 7 July, in the final group stage game against Jordan
Jordan national football team
The Jordan national football team is the national team of Jordan and is controlled by the Jordan Football Association...
, with all three goals coming in a span of 10 minutes, late in the first half.
Subsequently, he represented the under-21s
Spain national under-21 football team
The Spain national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita , competes in the biannual European Under-21 Football Championship.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth...
in two UEFA European Championships
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
. In the 2011 edition
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Adrián scored a brace in a 2–0 group stage win against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national under-21 football team
The Czech Republic national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of the Czech Republic and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic...
, adding another in the next match against Ukraine
Ukraine national under-21 football team
The Ukraine national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine.After Ukrainian Independence in 1991, the Ukraine senior team played their first match in April 1992...
(3–0). In the semifinal against Belarus
Belarus national under-21 football team
The Belarus national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belarus and is controlled by the Football Federation of Belarus. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years.-History:...
, he scored the late 1–1 equalizer which took the game into extra time, adding another in that period in an eventual 3–1 success; he was awarded the Golden Boot as the highest scorer in the tournament.
Club statistics
- (correct as of 26 November 2011)
Club Season Domestic League Domestic Cup Continental Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Oviedo Real OviedoReal Oviedo is a Spanish football club based in Oviedo, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded on 26 March 1926, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 2....2004–05 4 1 0 0 – 4 1 2005–06 26 3 3 0 – 29 3 Total 30 4 3 0 Deportivo Deportivo de La CoruñaReal Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
2006–07 15 1 6 1 – 21 2 2007–08 7 0 1 0 – 8 0 Total 22 1 7 1 Alavés Deportivo AlavésDeportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
2007–08 10 3 0 0 – 10 3 Total 10 3 0 0 Deportivo Deportivo de La CoruñaReal Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
2008–09 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 Málaga Málaga CFMálaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...28 3 2 0 – 30 3 Total 28 3 2 0 2 0 32 3 Deportivo Deportivo de La CoruñaReal Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...2009–10 34 4 5 0 – 39 4 2010–11 36 8 4 4 – 40 12 Total 70 12 9 4 Atlético Madrid 2011–12 11 5 0 0 8 5 19 10 Total 11 5 0 0 8 5 19 10 Career Total 171 28 21 5 10 5 202 38
Country
Spain U21- UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 20112011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
Individual
- 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup2007 FIFA U-20 World CupThe 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth...
: Silver shoe (5 goals) - 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
: Golden boot (5 goals), Team of the Tournament