Jonathan Soriano

Jonathan Soriano Casas (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈɟʝonatan soˈɾjano ˈkasas]; born 24 September 1985) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Soriano and the second or maternal family name is Casas.
Jonathan Soriano
Soriano with Red Bull Salzburg in 2017
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Soriano Casas[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-24) 24 September 1985[1]
Place of birth El Pont de Vilomara, Spain[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1995–2001 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2005 Espanyol B 70 (32)
2002–2009 Espanyol 43 (3)
2006 → Almería (loan) 17 (6)
2007 → Poli Ejido (loan) 12 (2)
2009 → Albacete (loan) 11 (3)
2009–2012 Barcelona B 79 (55)
2009 Barcelona 0 (0)
2012–2017 Red Bull Salzburg 144 (120)
2017–2018 Beijing Guoan 31 (25)
2019 Al-Hilal 8 (3)
2019–2020 Girona 16 (1)
National team‡
2001–2003 Spain U17 15 (18)
2003 Spain U19 2 (0)
2005 Spain U20 4 (1)
2005 Spain U21 4 (8)
2003– Catalonia 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 June 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 December 2014

He spent his early career with Espanyol and Barcelona, mostly with the respective reserve teams. In January 2012 he moved to Red Bull Salzburg, where he won four league and cup doubles, also finishing as the Austrian Football Bundesliga's top scorer three times; he totalled 172 goals in 202 matches for the latter club.

Soriano earned 25 caps for Spain at youth level, scoring 27 times. He also played for Catalonia.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in El Pont de Vilomara i Rocafort, Barcelona, Catalonia, Soriano emerged through RCD Espanyol's youth ranks. He made his debut with the first team during the 2002–03 season, playing one minute in a 3–1 La Liga home win against Rayo Vallecano while still registered with the B-side;[2] he was not admitted as a full-time member of the main squad until 2005–06.[3]

Soriano spent the second halves of that and the following campaigns serving second division loan stints, after which he returned to the Pericos, scoring twice in 24 appearances during the season, incidentally in both 1–0 victories over Getafe CF.[4][5]

In late January 2009, Soriano moved again on loan (and in the second level), joining Albacete Balompié until the end of the campaign and being released by Espanyol after this spell, his contract not having been renewed.[6]

Barcelona

On 30 July 2009, Soriano joined FC Barcelona's reserves in division three.[7] He made his official first-team debut on 28 October 2009, playing the dying minutes of the 2–0 win at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa for the Copa del Rey (7–0 on aggregate);[8] in the league, he ranked amongst the season's top scorers – all four groups combined – as the club returned to the second division after an 11-year absence.

Soriano fared even better in 2010–11, netting 32 times as Barcelona B finished in the promotion play-offs zone, being however ineligible for contention.[9][10][11] This tally gave him the division's Pichichi Trophy,[12] and in the process he eclipsed the club's previous record for most goals by a player in a single season, which was 15 by Martín Domínguez in 1987–88;[13] his performances caught the eyes of Real Betis,[14] and his failure to get a contract with Barcelona was compared to the success of 2. Bundesliga top scorer Nils Petersen in signing for FC Bayern Munich.[15]

Red Bull Salzburg

On 19 January 2012, Soriano moved to the Austrian Football Bundesliga with FC Red Bull Salzburg.[16] In his first year, he helped his team win the double,[17] but needing time to adapt, he contributed only five goals in 15 games.[18]

Soriano was sent off on 17 July 2012 in a 0–1 loss at F91 Dudelange, having played only 37 minutes as a substitute for Gonzalo Zárate in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.[19] He struck 26 goals in 32 games over the league season, including a hat-trick on 20 April 2013 in a 6–2 win against Wolfsberger AC; that morning, he witnessed his wife Cristina Sabater giving birth to their daughter.[20]

Soriano leading his team out for a friendly against Bayer Leverkusen in July 2015.

In the summer of 2013, Soriano was appointed Red Bull's new captain.[21] He scored a hat-trick in their UEFA Europa League play-off first leg against VMFD Žalgiris Vilnius, a 5–0 win on 22 August.[22] In his team's first match in the group stage, on 19 September, he added another three to help to a 4–0 home defeat of IF Elfsborg;[23] in the round-of-32, he grabbed a brace in a 2–0 win at AFC Ajax,[24] and despite the team exiting in the next stage, he was the tournament's top scorer with eight goals, only the second Spaniard to do so after Rayo Vallecano's Bolo in 2000–01.[25]

Soriano was the league's top scorer with 31 goals in 28 games – including four hat-tricks – as Salzburg regained the title. The Austrian Cup also returned to the team, and he netted another treble in a 9–0 first-round trashing at lowly Union St. Florian;[26] in the final on 18 May, he scored twice in a 4–2 win over SKN St. Pölten at the Wörthersee Stadion.[27]

On 10 August 2014, Soriano scored five goals in an 8–0 home league win against SV Grödig.[28] On 6 November, he netted a hat-trick as Salzburg won 5–1 at GNK Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League group stage.[29] He extended his contract in January of the following year until June 2018 or 2019, and at the end of the campaign was voted the league's Player of the Year;[30] in the cup final, he scored an extra-time goal in a 2–0 triumph over FK Austria Wien.[31]

On 26 September 2015, Soriano scored four goals in a 4–2 home win against SV Mattersburg.[32] On 24 October, he netted his 100th league goal whilst helping to a 2–1 victory over SV Ried also at the Red Bull Arena.[33] He arrived at the century mark in 113 games, quicker than national icons Hans Krankl and Toni Polster,[34] and by the following March he had achieved 150 goals in 170 matches across all competitions; manager Óscar García Junyent stated: "He is the best footballer I have ever worked with. I hope he never leaves".[18]

For the third successive year, Soriano was the top scorer as his team won the league, and he scored three times in a 5–0 win over FC Admira Wacker Mödling in the cup final to seal another double.[35] In March 2017, the club retired his number 26 jersey.[36]

Beijing Guoan

On 26 February 2017, Soriano signed for Beijing Sinobo Guoan F.C. after recommendation from former club player Frédéric Kanouté.[37] He scored regularly over his first season in the Chinese Super League, although his team finished ninth; on 23 July, his brace gave them a 2–1 away win against Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC.[38]

Later years

On 14 December 2018, free agent Soriano moved to Saudi Professional League club Al-Hilal FC on a one-and-a-half year contract.[39] He returned to his home country on 31 August 2019, after agreeing to a one-year deal at second-tier Girona FC.[40]

International career

Soriano was the top scorer at the 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with seven goals, as Spain came fourth in Denmark. All of his goals came in group stage victories, a hat-trick against Moldova between braces against the Czech Republic and FR Yugoslavia.[41]

On 8 February 2005, as a half-time replacement for Alberto Zapater, Soriano scored four times for the under-21 team in a 14–0 thrashing of San Marino in El Ejido.[42]

Soriano also took part on the Catalan representative side. On 28 December 2005, he scored their goal in a draw with Paraguay at the Camp Nou.[43]

Club statistics
As of 11 January 2020[44][45][46]
Club Season League Cup Continental[A] Other[B] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Espanyol B 2000–01 Segunda División B 10———10
2001–02 112———112
2002–03 259———259
2003–04 166———166
2004–05 1715———1715
Total 7032———7032
Espanyol 2002–03 La Liga 10———10
2004–05 71———71
2005–06 302230—82
2006–07 1010——20
2007–08 24231——273
2008–09 7050——120
Total 43311330—576
Almería (loan) 2005–06 Segunda División 176———176
Poli Ejido (loan) 2006–07 122———122
Albacete (loan) 2008–09 113———113
Barcelona B 2009–10 Segunda División B 3218——543722
2010–11 Segunda División 3732———3732
2011–12 105———105
Total 7955——548459
Barcelona 2009–10 La Liga 0010——10
Red Bull Salzburg 2011–12 Austrian Bundesliga 1132220—155
2012–13 33264310—3829
2013–14 2831451112—4348
2014–15 323157128—4946
2015–16 272161011—3432
2016–17 13800104—2312
Total 14412021273725—202172
Beijing Guoan 2017 Chinese Super League 191613——2019
2018 12943——1612
Total 31255600003631
Al-Hilal 2018–19 Saudi Professional League 8330—21134
Girona 2019–20 Segunda División 9112——103
Career total 3842394138402575472307
A. ^ Appearances and goals in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
B. ^ Appearances and goals in Segunda División B play-offs and Arab Club Champions Cup.

Honours

Club
Salzburg celebrating their 2015 double: Soriano is holding the Bundesliga shield, and Alexander Walke holds the Austrian Cup.

Espanyol

Red Bull Salzburg

Beijing Guoan

Individual

References
  1. "JONATHAN Soriano Casas" (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  2. "Tamudo marcó por partida doble" [Tamudo scored a brace] (in Spanish). El Día. 2 December 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  3. Sendoa apunta al 'pichichi' (Sendoa aims for 'pichichi'); Mundo Deportivo, 20 May 2005 (in Spanish)
  4. Espanyol 1–0 Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 16 September 2007
  5. Getafe 0–1 Espanyol; ESPN Soccernet, 3 February 2008
  6. El curioso caso de Jonathan Soriano (The curious case of Jonathan Soriano) Archived 23 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Notas de Fútbol, 30 July 2009 (in Spanish)
  7. Jonathan Soriano, ex delantero del Espanyol, ficha por Barcelona Atlètic (Jonathan Soriano, ex-Espanyol forward, signs for Barcelona Atlètic); Diario AS, 30 July 2009 (in Spanish)
  8. Pedro turns tie in Barça's favour (0–2); FC Barcelona, 28 October 2009
  9. Festival de goles en Soria (Goal festival in Soria); Diario AS, 26 February 2011 (in Spanish)
  10. Jonathan Soriano se reivindica a ritmo de récord (Jonathan Soriano speaks out with goals galore); El Mundo, 2 March 2011 (in Spanish)
  11. Jonathan Soriano ya tiene un hueco en la historia de Segunda (Jonathan Soriano carved niche in Segunda history); Marca, 2 June 2011 (in Spanish)
  12. Carretero, Rodrigo (5 June 2011). "El 'pichichi' paciente" [The patient 'pichichi'] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  13. "Jonathan Soriano se convierte en el máximo goleador de la historia del filial" [Jonathan Soriano becomes the highest goalscorer in the history of the reserves] (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  14. "El Betis, tras la pista de Jonathan Soriano, pichichi de Segunda" [Betis tracking Jonathan Soriano, Segunda top scorer] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  15. Gascón, Javier (3 August 2011). "El Bayern sí apuesta por el 'pichichi' de Segunda A" [Bayern do bet on Segunda A top scorer] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  16. From Barcelona to Salzburg, and onto Belek; Red Bull Salzburg, 19 January 2012
  17. Salzburg holt das Double (Salzburg get double); UEFA, 20 May 2012 (in German)
  18. Rubio, Quique (19 March 2016). "Jonathan Soriano: 150 goles en 170 partidos en Austria" [Jonathan Soriano: 150 goals in 170 games in Austria] (in Spanish). Diario AS. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  19. "Dudelange stun double winners Salzburg". FourFourTwo. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  20. "Striker becomes dad, scores hat trick". Sydney Morning Herald. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  21. Jonathan Soriano ist der neue Kapitän bei Red Bull Salzburg (Jonathan Soriano is Red Bull Salzburg's new captain) Archived 25 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine; Sport Report, 18 July 2013 (in German)
  22. "Salzburg 5–0 Zalgiris". UEFA. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  23. "Soriano helps Salzburg demolish Elfsborg". UEFA. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  24. Brookman, Derek (20 February 2014). "Sublime Soriano steers Salzburg to victory". UEFA. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  25. "Eight-goal Soriano is Europa League top scorer". UEFA. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  26. "Hat-trick specialist Soriano lets Salzburg dream". UEFA. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  27. "Salzburg pip St Pölten to Austrian Cup". UEFA. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  28. "Salzburg 8–0 Grodig". Goal. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  29. "Salzburg storm to next phase in Zagreb". UEFA. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  30. "Jonathan Soriano, nombrado mejor futbolista de la Liga Austríaca" [Jonathan Soriano, named the Austrian League's best footballer] (in Spanish). Estadio Deportivo. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  31. "Ten-man Salzburg complete Austrian double". UEFA. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  32. "Österreich: Soriano mit Viererpack für RB Salzburg" [Austria: Soriano strikes four times for RB Salzburg] (in German). Focus. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  33. "Soriano schießt sich gegen Ried in den 100er-Club" [Soriano shoots himself into 100 Club against Reid] (in German). Sky Sport. 24 October 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  34. "Jonathan Soriano: "Superar a dos mitos como Polster o Krankl ha sido muy grande"" [Jonathan Soriano: "Surpassing two icons like Polster and Krankl was amazing"] (in Spanish). Marca. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  35. "El Salzburgo de Òscar y Soriano logra el doblete" [Óscar and Soriano's Salzburg achieve the double] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  36. "Jonathan Soriano confirmed as club legend". FC Red Bull Salzburg. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  37. "Soriano joins Beijing Guoan on Kanoute's recommendation". Marca. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  38. "Jonathan Soriano brace lifts Beijing Guoan in China Derby". ESPN FC. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  39. "Jonathan Soriano ficha por el Al-Hilal" [Jonathan Soriano signs for Al-Hilal] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  40. "Jonathan Soriano; més gol per al Girona FC" [Jonathan Soriano; more goal for Girona FC] (in Catalan). Girona FC. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  41. "Swiss spot on in Denmark". UEFA. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  42. "España sub'21 golea por 14–0 a la débil San Marino" [Spain under-21 thrash weak San Marino 14–0] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  43. "Pobre expresión albirroja para empate en Cataluña" [Poor red-and-white expression for draw in Catalonia] (in Spanish). ABC. 29 December 2005. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  44. "Jonathan Soriano: Jonathan Soriano Casas". BDFutbol. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  45. "Soriano". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  46. "Jonathan Soriano". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
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