Antonio Soldevilla
Encyclopedia
Antonio "Toni" Soldevilla Castellsagué (born 19 December 1978 in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
, Catalonia
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays as a defender
.
, Soldevilla made his first team debuts on 19 February 1997, in a 0–2 home loss against Athletic de Bilbao
, being sent off
in the match. He would make 116 league appearances for the club with three goals (after just 14 in his first three seasons, he became first-choice, partnering Alberto Lopo in the centre) and even captaining the squad.
However, Soldevilla grew unsettled at the club and left it in 2005 citing personal reasons. He signed for second division
side Polideportivo Ejido
during 2005–06
, where he played only a handful of matches.
After an unsuccessful trial with Ipswich Town
and starting off 2006–07 in Cyprus
with Apollon Limassol
, he became the first Spanish player in the Russian Premier League
, signing for FC Amkar Perm
for the start of the 2007 season; he was released in early 2008.
In mid-December 2009, Soldevilla signed with UD Marbella
in Segunda División B
, after one month training with the team. He split the following season
also in that level, totalling 20 games with Caravaca CF
and Ontinyent CF
combined.
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat or briefly L'Hospitalet is a city to the immediate southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, and the second largest in Catalonia by population...
, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
) 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 as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Club career
Brought through the ranks of RCD EspanyolRCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, Soldevilla made his first team debuts on 19 February 1997, in a 0–2 home loss against Athletic de Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, being sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
in the match. He would make 116 league appearances for the club with three goals (after just 14 in his first three seasons, he became first-choice, partnering Alberto Lopo in the centre) and even captaining the squad.
However, Soldevilla grew unsettled at the club and left it in 2005 citing personal reasons. He signed for second division
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:...
side Polideportivo Ejido
Polideportivo Ejido
Club Polideportivo Ejido, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in El Ejido, Province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1969, it currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 4....
during 2005–06
2005–06 Segunda División
-Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4...
, where he played only a handful of matches.
After an unsuccessful trial with Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
and starting off 2006–07 in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
with Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
, he became the first Spanish player in the Russian Premier League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
, signing for FC Amkar Perm
FC Amkar Perm
FC Amkar Perm is a professional football club playing in Russian Premier League.They are based in the city of Perm and are the easternmost football club in Europe playing in top national competition...
for the start of the 2007 season; he was released in early 2008.
In mid-December 2009, Soldevilla signed with UD Marbella
UD Marbella
Unión Deportiva Marbella is a Spanish football team based in Marbella, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1997, it currently plays in 3ª - Group 9, holding home matches at Estadio Municipal de Marbella, with a capacity of 9,000 seats....
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...
, after one month training with the team. He split the following season
2010–11 Segunda División B
The 2010–11 Segunda División B season is the 80th since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 28 August 2010, and the season ended on 26 June 2011 with the promotion play-off finals.- Group 1:...
also in that level, totalling 20 games with Caravaca CF
Caravaca CF
Caravaca Club de Fútbol was a Spanish football team based in Caravaca de la Cruz, in the Region of Murcia. Founded in 1969 and dissolved in 2011, it held home games at Estadio Antonio Martínez El Morao, with a capacity of 2,000 spectators.-History:...
and Ontinyent CF
Ontinyent CF
Ontinyent Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Ontinyent, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1947, it plays in 2ªB - Group 3, holding home games at Estadio El Clariano, with a capacity of 5,000 seats.-Season to season:...
combined.