Jesús Unanua
Encyclopedia
Jesús Unanua Becerril is a former Spanish
footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.
, playing 13 La Liga
matches in 1989–90; however, he did not manage to become first-choice. After a loan spell at Albacete Balompié
(also as backup), he returned to the Navarre
se, being once again barred, now by youngster Javier López Vallejo
, another club youth graduate.
After three seasons at second division
outfit CD Leganés
, Unanua moved to Villarreal CF
, also in the category, achieving promotion in his first year (although he played in no matches, being once again cast aside by Vallejo, whom signed at the same time; both players lost importance in 2002–03, after the arrival of FC Barcelona
's José Manuel Reina).
Unanua played the most in years in 2003–04, as he helped Xerez CD
to a ninth place (out of 22). He continued his career also in the second level, with Elche CF
.
In 2006, Unanua dropped a level
but stayed in the community
, joining Alicante CF
. In his second year, he helped the side return to the second division after 52 years, and won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy
for the season in the category (19 goals in 35 matches).
On June 17, 2009, Unanua announced his retirement from professional football. He played his last match on the 20th, between already relegated teams Alicante and Sevilla Atlético
(3–3), three days shy of his 40th birthday.
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 played as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Unanua began his professional career with hometown's CA OsasunaCA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, playing 13 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...
matches in 1989–90; however, he did not manage to become first-choice. After a loan spell at Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
(also as backup), he returned to the Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se, being once again barred, now by youngster Javier López Vallejo
Javier López Vallejo
Javier López Vallejo is a Spanish footballer who plays for Kavala F.C. in Greece, as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
, another club youth graduate.
After three seasons at 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:...
outfit CD Leganés
CD Leganés
Club Deportivo Leganés, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Leganés, in the Madrid outskirts. Founded on 26 June 1928, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home games at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, which seats 8,000 spectators....
, Unanua moved to 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...
, also in the category, achieving promotion in his first year (although he played in no matches, being once again cast aside by Vallejo, whom signed at the same time; both players lost importance in 2002–03, after the arrival of 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....
's José Manuel Reina).
Unanua played the most in years in 2003–04, as he helped Xerez CD
Xerez CD
Xerez Club Deportivo, S.A.D., usually just Xerez, is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia...
to a ninth place (out of 22). He continued his career also in the second level, with Elche CF
Elche CF
Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Elche, Alicante, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1923, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, holding home matches at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, with a capacity of 38,750 seats.-Recent seasons:-Season to...
.
In 2006, Unanua dropped a level
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...
but stayed in the community
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...
, joining Alicante CF
Alicante CF
Alicante Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1918, it plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home matches at Ciudad Deportiva Villafranqueza.-History:...
. In his second year, he helped the side return to the second division after 52 years, and won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy
Ricardo Zamora Trophy
The Ricardo Zamora Trophy is a football award, established by Spanish newspaper MARCA in 1958. The award goes to the goalkeeper who has the lowest "goals-to-games" ratio. It is named after legendary Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora....
for the season in the category (19 goals in 35 matches).
On June 17, 2009, Unanua announced his retirement from professional football. He played his last match on the 20th, between already relegated teams Alicante and Sevilla Atlético
Sevilla Atlético
Sevilla Atlético Club is a Spanish football team based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1958, it plays in Segunda División B, and is the reserve team of Sevilla FC, holding home games at Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios, with a 7,000-seat capacity.Unlike...
(3–3), three days shy of his 40th birthday.