Francisco Javier González Pérez
Encyclopedia
Francisco Javier González Pérez (born 14 July 1969 in Carreira, Santa Uxía de Ribeira
, Galicia), aka Fran, is a retired Spanish
professional footballer.
He spent his entire career with Deportivo de La Coruña
, as a left midfielder
with skill and field vision, helping it win the first La Liga
title in the club's history.
's history, arrived at the club's first team in 1988, and made his La Liga
debut on August 31, 1991, in a 2–1 loss at Valencia CF
. Quickly established, he only missed eight league matches in his first five seasons combined, also netting on 24 occasions, while already being club captain.
In 1995–96, Real Madrid
almost signed him, but Fran regretted leaving Deportivo and returned quickly. In 1999–2000, as Depor conquered its first top level league, injuries limited him to only 22 games, adding a goal in a 2–0 home success against Valencia, on March 12, 2000.
Fran retired from football at the end of the 2004–05 season
, after 17 years at Deportivo, 14 in the first division, at the same time as Brazil
ian Mauro Silva
, with both playing their last match on May 22, 2005, a 0–3 home loss against RCD Mallorca
. He amassed more than 600 overall appearances for the Galician club.
In 2008, Fran returned to Deportivo, joining its indoor football team, alongside club greats Donato
, Djalminha
, Noureddine Naybet and Jacques Songo'o
.
, in Las Palmas.
In total he earned 16 caps
, participating at UEFA Euro 2000, where he played his last international, in a 4–3 group stage win over Yugoslavia
.
in the top level (84 games and six goals).
Santa Uxía de Ribeira
Santa Uxía de Ribeira is the capital of the region of Barbanza, in the Province of A Coruña, Galicia, Spain .-History:An ecclesiastical tithe register dated on 1438 is the first document mentioning the city. Until the 17th century, Ribeira's port was of little importance on the region, partly due...
, Galicia), aka Fran, 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...
professional footballer.
He spent his entire career with 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...
, as a left 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...
with skill and field vision, helping it win the first 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...
title in the club's history.
Club career
Fran, one of the most notable players in Deportivo de La CoruñaDeportivo 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...
's history, arrived at the club's first team in 1988, and made his 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...
debut on August 31, 1991, in a 2–1 loss at 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...
. Quickly established, he only missed eight league matches in his first five seasons combined, also netting on 24 occasions, while already being club captain.
In 1995–96, 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...
almost signed him, but Fran regretted leaving Deportivo and returned quickly. In 1999–2000, as Depor conquered its first top level league, injuries limited him to only 22 games, adding a goal in a 2–0 home success against Valencia, on March 12, 2000.
Fran retired from football at the end of the 2004–05 season
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
, after 17 years at Deportivo, 14 in the first division, at the same time as 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 Mauro Silva
Mauro Silva
Mauro da Silva Gomes , simply Silva, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as a defensive midfielder....
, with both playing their last match on May 22, 2005, a 0–3 home loss against 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....
. He amassed more than 600 overall appearances for the Galician club.
In 2008, Fran returned to Deportivo, joining its indoor football team, alongside club greats Donato
Donato Gama da Silva
Donato Gama da Silva , simply Donato, is a retired Brazilian-born Spanish footballer during the 1990s and early 2000s....
, Djalminha
Djalminha
Djalma Feitosa Dias , aka Djalminha, is a retired Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.Blessed with superb skills but also a troublesome character he represented, among others, Flamengo and Deportivo de La Coruña, and was also a Brazil international.-Brazil:Son of former...
, Noureddine Naybet and Jacques Songo'o
Jacques Songo'o
Jacques Celestin Songo'o is a retired Cameroonian footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.Spent the vast majority of his professional career in France and Spain, also representing the Cameroonian national team in four FIFA World Cups.-Club career:After first establishing himself as a professional...
.
International career
Fran made his full Spanish national team debut on 27 January 1993, in a friendly 1–1 draw against MexicoMexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
, in Las Palmas.
In total he earned 16 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, participating at UEFA Euro 2000, where he played his last international, in a 4–3 group stage win over Yugoslavia
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
.
Honours
- 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...
: 1999–2000 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe 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 ....
: 1994–95, 2001–02 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1995, 2000, 2002
Personal
Fran's older brother, José Ramón (born May 20, 1968), was also a footballer (and a midfielder). Another Depor youth graduate, he amassed 75 first division matches with seven goals with the club (1991–95, 1998–99), also representing neighbours SD CompostelaSD Compostela
Sociedade Deportiva Compostela also known as Compostela is a Spanish football team based in Santiago de Compostela, in the autonomous community of Galicia. Founded on 26 June 1962, it currently plays in Preferente Autonómica.-History:...
in the top level (84 games and six goals).