Jorge López Montaña
Encyclopedia
Jorge López Montaña (ˈxoɾxe ˈlopeθ; born 19 September 1978 in Logroño
, La Rioja
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for OFI Crete
in Greece
, as a right midfielder
.
' youth system, López was purchased by Villarreal CF
in 1999, with whom he achieved La Liga
promotion at the end of the season. Making his top flight debut on 10 September 2000, in a 1–5 home loss against Rayo Vallecano
, he finished the season missing only three league contests and netting eight goals, with the Valencian
finishing 7th.
Joining neighbours Valencia CF
in 2003–04, he played 26 matches and scored four times, as the side was proclaimed national champions. After a loan to RCD Mallorca
, López would only appear 19 times in the league in the next two seasons combined, mainly due to injuries.
López was released by Valencia in summer 2007, and was signed by Racing de Santander
on a free transfer, where he was a key element in the team's first ever UEFA Cup qualification in 2007–08. On 25 November 2007, he scored the game's only goal, in a home triumph against his previous team.
Having already played one match in 2008–09 with Racing, a 1–1 home draw with Sevilla FC
, López was sold to second division
's Real Zaragoza
on 1 September 2008, for €
3 million + VAT
. He scored seven goals in 38 matches, as the Aragon
ese immediately returned to division one, surpassing the 3,000-minute mark, but featured significantly less in the following season
, although he began it in the starting XI.
, is also a footballer. A defender
, he spent most of his career in the lower leagues, namely with AD Alcorcón
.
Logroño
Logroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as La Rioja Province.The population of Logroño in 2008 was 153,736 and a metropolitan population of nearly 197,000 inhabitants...
, La Rioja
La Rioja (Spain)
La Rioja is an autonomous community and a province of northern Spain. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and Nájera.-History:...
) 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 OFI Crete
OFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, as a right 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...
.
Football career
A product of hometown CD LogroñésCD Logroñés
Club Deportivo Logroñés, S.A.D. was a Spanish football team based in Logroño, in the autonomous community of La Rioja. Founded in 1940, it last played in Regional Preferente de La Rioja....
' youth system, López was purchased by Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
in 1999, with whom he achieved 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...
promotion at the end of the season. Making his top flight debut on 10 September 2000, in a 1–5 home loss against Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, he finished the season missing only three league contests and netting eight goals, with the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
finishing 7th.
Joining neighbours 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...
in 2003–04, he played 26 matches and scored four times, as the side was proclaimed national champions. After a loan to RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, López would only appear 19 times in the league in the next two seasons combined, mainly due to injuries.
López was released by Valencia in summer 2007, and was signed by 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 a free transfer, where he was a key element in the team's first ever UEFA Cup qualification in 2007–08. On 25 November 2007, he scored the game's only goal, in a home triumph against his previous team.
Having already played one match in 2008–09 with Racing, a 1–1 home draw with 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...
, López was sold to 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:...
's 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...
on 1 September 2008, for €
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,...
3 million + VAT
Vat
Vat or VAT may refer to:* A type of container such as a barrel, storage tank, or tub, often constructed of welded sheet stainless steel, and used for holding, storing, and processing liquids such as milk, wine, and beer...
. He scored seven goals in 38 matches, as the Aragon
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
ese immediately returned to division one, surpassing the 3,000-minute mark, but featured significantly less in the following season
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;"|...
, although he began it in the starting XI.
Honours
- Valencia:
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe 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...
: 2003–04 - UEFA Cup: 2003–04
- Spanish League
Personal
López's brother, IñigoÍñigo López Montaña
Íñigo López Montaña is a Spanish footballer who plays for Granada CF in La Liga, as a central defender.-Club career:...
, is also a footballer. 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....
, he spent most of his career in the lower leagues, namely with AD Alcorcón
AD Alcorcón
Agrupación Deportiva Alcorcón is a Spanish football team based in Alcorcón, in the autonomous community of Madrid. Founded in 1971, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home matches at Municipal de Santo Domingo, with a 5,430 seat capacity....
.