Javi González (footballer, born 1974)

Javier 'Javi' González Gómez (born 22 March 1974) is a Spanish retired footballer. Mainly a midfielder, he could operate on either side of the pitch.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is González and the second or maternal family name is Gómez.
Javi González
Personal information
Full name Javier González Gómez
Date of birth (1974-03-22) 22 March 1974
Place of birth Barakaldo, Spain
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1993 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Bilbao Athletic 15 (0)
1994–1995 Alavés 5 (0)
1995–1996 Sestao 30 (8)
1996–1997 Celta 24 (1)
1997–2007 Athletic Bilbao 220 (9)
2006 → Ashdod (loan) 11 (0)
2007–2009 Hércules 12 (0)
2009–2011 Portugalete
Total 317 (18)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He spent most of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao, competing in ten La Liga seasons and playing 249 competitive matches.[1]

Football career

González was born in Barakaldo, Biscay. After growing through the ranks of Athletic Bilbao, he played one season each with Basque neighbours Deportivo Alavés (in the third division) and Sestao Sport Club (second level, relegated).

In 1997–98, after one year with fellow La Liga club RC Celta de Vigo, González returned to the local giants as a full member of the main squad, scoring five goals in 30 games as Athletic finished second and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. He even featured occasionally as an attacking right back.

After a serious knee injury in late 2004,[2] González's role in Bilbao gradually diminished – only 26 league matches in three seasons combined. He also played during six months with Israeli Premier League's F.C. Ashdod, in a January 2006 loan.

In July 2007, González joined division two side Hércules CF, appearing sparingly in his first season. In the next, in which the Alicante team finished fourth, he was left without a squad number by manager Juan Carlos Mandiá.[3][4]

Aged 35, González moved in August 2009 to lowly Club Portugalete, thus returning to his native region.[5] He retired after two seasons in the fourth division.

References
  1. Javi González y Andoni Iraola celebran 'aniversario' ante el Valencia (Javi González and Andoni Iraola celebrate 'birthday' against Valencia); Marca, 2 April 2007 (in Spanish)
  2. González faces knee surgery; UEFA, 20 October 2004
  3. Javi González se une a la lista de descartes de Mandiá (Javi González joins Mandiá's transfer list); Diario AS, 10 August 2008 (in Spanish)
  4. Javi González: «Me han roto todas las ilusiones en sólo una mañana» (Javi González: «They have shattered all my illusions in only one morning»); La Verdad, 11 August 2008 (in Spanish)
  5. Javi González ficha por el Portugalete de Tercera (Javi González signs with Portugalete from Tercera); Marca, 21 August 2009 (in Spanish)
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