Esteban Andrés Suárez
Encyclopedia
Esteban Andrés Suárez, simply Esteban (born 27 June 1975 in Avilés
, Asturias
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for UD Almería
as a goalkeeper.
. During five seasons with the first team - four of those spent in La Liga
- he only missed 12 league games combined, and moved to Atlético de Madrid in the 2002 summer, as the Colchoneros had just returned to the top flight after a two-year absence.
After two solid seasons at Sevilla FC
(two sixth league places, as first-choice), Esteban signed for Real Club Celta de Vigo
, backing up José Manuel Pinto
in the second level
side until the latter moved to FC Barcelona
, in January 2008.
In the summer 2008, he joined UD Almería
(in the top division), where he initially was second-choice to Diego Alves
in his first season. However, profiting from injury to the starter in late March 2009, he was put between the posts, and remained there until the end of the campaign, even when the Brazil
ian recovered.
In 2009–10
, Esteban's league output consisted of 30 minutes (the last round notwithstanding), after Alves was sent off
in a 0–3 home defeat against Valencia CF
. At the season's end, however, the 35-year old renewed his contract for another year.
Esteban continued as Alves' backup in the 2010–11 season
. He was first-choice, however, in Almería Copa del Rey
campaign
, which saw the club reach the competition's semifinals for the first time ever. In the final stretch of the campaign, as Almería was already relegated and the Brazilian announced his departure to Valencia, he appeared in four games, conceding eleven goals, including eight in a 1–8 loss at Real Madrid
.
After Alves signed for Valencia in the 2011 off-season, 36-year old Esteban became Almería's first-choice.
Avilés
Avilés is a city in Asturias, Spain. Avilés is with Oviedo and Gijón, one of the main towns in the Principality of Asturias.The town occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small promontories, all of them having an altitude of less than...
, 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 UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Esteban began his career with hometown Real Avilés Industrial in 1994, but soon moved to local giants 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....
. During five seasons with the first team - four of those spent in 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...
- he only missed 12 league games combined, and moved to Atlético de Madrid in the 2002 summer, as the Colchoneros had just returned to the top flight after a two-year absence.
After two solid seasons at Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
(two sixth league places, as first-choice), Esteban signed for Real Club Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
, backing up José Manuel Pinto
José Manuel Pinto
José Manuel Pinto Colorado is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona as a goalkeeper.-Betis / Celta:Born in El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Andalusia, Pinto, a product of Real Betis' youth system, moved up to the first team and made his La Liga debut for the club during the 1997–98...
in the second level
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 until the latter moved to 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....
, in January 2008.
In the summer 2008, he joined UD Almería
UD Almería
Unión Deportiva Almería, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1989 as Almería Club de Fútbol, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, with a 22,000-seat...
(in the top division), where he initially was second-choice to Diego Alves
Diego Alves Carreira
Diego Alves Carreira , known as Alves, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain, as a goalkeeper.-Brazil / Almería:...
in his first season. However, profiting from injury to the starter in late March 2009, he was put between the posts, and remained there until the end of the campaign, even when the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian recovered.
In 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;"|...
, Esteban's league output consisted of 30 minutes (the last round notwithstanding), after Alves was 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 a 0–3 home defeat against Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. At the season's end, however, the 35-year old renewed his contract for another year.
Esteban continued as Alves' backup in the 2010–11 season
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...
. He was first-choice, however, in Almería 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 ....
campaign
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...
, which saw the club reach the competition's semifinals for the first time ever. In the final stretch of the campaign, as Almería was already relegated and the Brazilian announced his departure to Valencia, he appeared in four games, conceding eleven goals, including eight in a 1–8 loss at Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
.
After Alves signed for Valencia in the 2011 off-season, 36-year old Esteban became Almería's first-choice.
Honours
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...
: 19981998 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-21 Championship 1998, which spanned two years , had 46 entrants. Before the quarter-finals stage, Romania were chosen as the hosts of the final stages, consisting of four matches in total....