Javier González Gómez
Encyclopedia
Javier 'Javi' González Gómez (born 22 March 1974 in Barakaldo
, Biscay
) is a retired Spanish
footballer. Mainly a midfielder
, he could operate on either side of the pitch.
He spent most of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao
, competing in ten La Liga
seasons and playing in more than 300 official matches.
, González played one season each with two seasons with Basque
neighbours Deportivo Alavés
(then in the third division
) and Sestao Sport Club
(second level
, relegated).
In 1997–98, after one season with fellow La Liga
team Celta de Vigo
, he returned to the local giants as a full member of the first squad, netting five goals (a top flight personal best) in 30 matches as Athletic finished second and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
. He even featured in some contests as an offensive right back.
After a serious knee injury in late 2004, González's role in Bilbao gradually diminished - only 26 league games in three seasons combined - and he also played during six months with Israeli Premier League's F.C. Ashdod
, in a January 2006 loan.
In July 2007, González joined second division outfit Hércules CF
, appearing sparingly in his first season. In the next, in which the Alicante
side finished fourth, he was left without a squad number by manager Juan Carlos Mandiá.
Aged 35, González moved in August 2009 to lowly Club Portugalete
, thus returning to Biscay
. He retired after two seasons in the fourth level
.
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
) is a retired 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. Mainly a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he could operate on either side of the pitch.
He spent most of his professional career with Athletic 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...
, competing in ten 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...
seasons and playing in more than 300 official matches.
Football career
After growing through the ranks of Athletic de BilbaoAthletic 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...
, González played one season each with two seasons with 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....
neighbours 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....
(then in the third division
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...
) and Sestao Sport Club
Sestao Sport Club
Sestao Sport Club was a Spanish football club based in Sestao, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded it 1916, it held home matches at Campo Municipal de las Llanas, with a capacity of 8,900 seats.-History:...
(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:...
, relegated).
In 1997–98, after one season with fellow 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...
team 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 ,...
, he returned to the local giants as a full member of the first squad, netting five goals (a top flight personal best) in 30 matches as Athletic finished second and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. He even featured in some contests as an offensive right back.
After a serious knee injury in late 2004, González's role in Bilbao gradually diminished - only 26 league games in three seasons combined - and he also played during six months with Israeli Premier League's F.C. Ashdod
F.C. Ashdod
F.C. Ashdod is an Israeli football club, playing in the port city of Ashdod. The unorthodox name of the team is the result of the union of two city rivals, Hapoel Ashdod and Maccabi Ironi Ashdod...
, in a January 2006 loan.
In July 2007, González joined second division outfit Hércules CF
Hércules CF
Hércules Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, and holds home games at the Estadio José Rico Pérez, which seats 30,000 spectators.-History:After first...
, appearing sparingly in his first season. In the next, in which the Alicante
Alicante
Alicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
side finished fourth, he was left without a squad number by manager Juan Carlos Mandiá.
Aged 35, González moved in August 2009 to lowly Club Portugalete
Club Portugalete
Club Portugalete is a Spanish football team based in Portugalete, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1944, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio La Florida, with a capacity of 3,000 seaters....
, thus returning to Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
. He retired after two seasons in the fourth level
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
.