Ángel Lafita
Encyclopedia
Ángel Lafita Castillo is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Real Zaragoza
in the Spanish first division
.
Usually a winger, being comfortable on both sides of the pitch, he can also appear as an attacking midfielder.
's youth system, Lafita was promoted from its B side
after stellar performances during 2004–05, making his first team debut on 28 August 2005, in a 0–0 draw at Atlético Madrid, and becoming an important element during 2006–07, helping the Aragon
ese outfit to a UEFA Cup berth (with 28 games and one goal, in a 2–0 away win against Racing de Santander
, on 10 December 2006).
In August 2007, Lafita was loaned to Deportivo de La Coruña
, which had an option to buy at the end of the season. After helping the Galicians reach the UEFA Intertoto Cup
(with the subsequent UEFA Cup qualification), with three consecutive goals in February–March 2008, the clause was activated in July, for €
2 million.
After being troubled with physical problems at the start of 2008–09, Lafita returned to Depor in late October 2008, netting four times in his first seven games, including a brace against Real Betis
in a 3–0 away success, on 2 November.
In July 2009, Zaragoza paid the sum requested to rebuy the player, but Deportivo did not compel, claiming both clubs had agreed on a higher fee (€3.5 million); Lafita still played the first match of the new campaign
, a 2–3 loss at Real Madrid
but, in September, the Professional Football League
deemed Lafita a Zaragoza player.
Lafita started throughout most of 2010–11
, but also spent one month on the sidelines with a knee
injury. On 30 April 2011, he scored twice in a 3–2 win at Real Madrid
(being also involved in the other goal, after being brought down in the box by Ricardo Carvalho
, which resulted in a converted penalty
), as Zaragoza finally escaped relegation.
, Francisco Villarroya
, played professionally for Real Madrid
, Deportivo and Zaragoza, appearing with Spain
at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
in Italy
; his father Juan played 18 times with Zaragoza's first team in the late 70's/early 80's, also representing Andorra CF
, and younger brother Ignacio
played for Zaragoza B
, as well as neighbours SD Huesca
.
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 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...
in the Spanish first division
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...
.
Usually a winger, being comfortable on both sides of the pitch, he can also appear as an attacking midfielder.
Club career
A product of hometown Real ZaragozaReal 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...
's youth system, Lafita was promoted from its B side
Real Zaragoza B
Real Zaragoza B is a Spanish football club based in Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon. Founded in 1962, it is the reserve team of Real Zaragoza, and currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 3, holding home matches at Ciudad Deportiva Real Zaragoza, with a capacity of 2,500...
after stellar performances during 2004–05, making his first team debut on 28 August 2005, in a 0–0 draw at Atlético Madrid, and becoming an important element during 2006–07, helping 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 outfit to a UEFA Cup berth (with 28 games and one goal, in a 2–0 away win against 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 10 December 2006).
In August 2007, Lafita was loaned to 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...
, which had an option to buy at the end of the season. After helping the Galicians reach the UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
(with the subsequent UEFA Cup qualification), with three consecutive goals in February–March 2008, the clause was activated in July, 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,...
2 million.
After being troubled with physical problems at the start of 2008–09, Lafita returned to Depor in late October 2008, netting four times in his first seven games, including a brace against Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
in a 3–0 away success, on 2 November.
In July 2009, Zaragoza paid the sum requested to rebuy the player, but Deportivo did not compel, claiming both clubs had agreed on a higher fee (€3.5 million); Lafita still played the first match of the new campaign
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;"|...
, a 2–3 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...
but, in September, the Professional Football League
Liga de Fútbol Profesional
The Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , more commonly known as the Liga de Fútbol Profesional is a national sports association responsible for administering the two professional football leagues in Spain - the Primera and Segunda División...
deemed Lafita a Zaragoza player.
Lafita started throughout most of 2010–11
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...
, but also spent one month on the sidelines with a knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
injury. On 30 April 2011, he scored twice in a 3–2 win 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...
(being also involved in the other goal, after being brought down in the box by Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Carvalho
Ricardo Alberto Silveira de Carvalho OIH , is a footballer who plays as a centre back for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid.Carvalho was born in Amarante where he played for the local team, Amarante Futebol Clube. By his great performance as a youngster, he was spotted by the Portuguese powerhouse,...
, which resulted in a converted penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
), as Zaragoza finally escaped relegation.
Club statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/06 | 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... |
 Spanish LeagueLa 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... |
13 | 0 | |
| 2006/07 | 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... |
Spanish League 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... |
28 | 1 | |
| 2007/08 | Deportivo 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... |
Spanish League 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... |
24 | 3 | |
| 2008/09 | Deportivo 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... |
Spanish League 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... |
32 | 8 | |
| | Total | 97 | 12 | |||
Personal
Football runs in Lafita's family: his uncleUncle
An uncle is a type of familial relationship.Uncle may also refer to:* Uncle , by J. P. Martin* U.N.C.L.E., a fictional organization in the TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E....
, Francisco Villarroya
Francisco Villarroya
Francisco Javier Pérez Villarroya is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a left midfielder.-Club career:...
, played professionally for 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...
, Deportivo and Zaragoza, appearing with Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; his father Juan played 18 times with Zaragoza's first team in the late 70's/early 80's, also representing Andorra CF
Andorra CF
Andorra Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Andorra, Teruel, in the autonomous community of Aragon. Founded in 1957, it plays in Segunda División B – Group 3, holding home games at Estadio Juan Antonio Endeiza, with a capacity of 3,000 seats....
, and younger brother Ignacio
Ignacio Lafita
Ignacio Lafita Castillo is a Spanish footballer who plays for SD Ejea, mainly as an attacking midfielder.-Football career:...
played for Zaragoza B
Real Zaragoza B
Real Zaragoza B is a Spanish football club based in Zaragoza, in the autonomous community of Aragon. Founded in 1962, it is the reserve team of Real Zaragoza, and currently plays in Segunda División B – Group 3, holding home matches at Ciudad Deportiva Real Zaragoza, with a capacity of 2,500...
, as well as neighbours SD Huesca
SD Huesca
Sociedad Deportiva Huesca, S.A.D., is a Spanish football club based in Huesca, in the autonomous community of Aragon. Founded in 1960, it currently plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Estadio El Alcoraz, which seats 8,000 spectators....
.