Juan Elía

Juan 'Juantxo' Elía Vallejo (born 24 January 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Elía and the second or maternal family name is Vallejo.
Juantxo Elía
Personal information
Full name Juan Elía Vallejo
Date of birth (1979-01-24) 24 January 1979
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1993–1997 Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 Osasuna B 109 (0)
2002–2008 Osasuna 40 (0)
2002–2003 → Ourense (loan) 36 (0)
2008–2010 Murcia 61 (0)
Total 246 (0)
National team
1997 Spain U17 4 (0)
1996–1998 Spain U18 10 (0)
1998 Spain U20 2 (0)
2004–2005 Navarre 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Elía spent the bulk of his professional career with hometown's CA Osasuna, save a loan at modest CD Ourense. During the 2004–05 campaign he played a career-high 22 La Liga games, but served mostly as a backup during his spell with his main club, 15 years including his formative ones.[1]

In August 2008, Elía joined Real Murcia, recently relegated to the second division.[2] He was first choice in his debut season but the team only finished in mid-table, being relegated in the following with him appearing in 24 matches.[3]

Elía retired from football in September 2010 at the age of 31, due to persistent back problems.[4]

International career

Elía represented Navarre in two matches.[5][6]

References
  1. Elía renueva por Osasuna (Elía renews with Osasuna); UEFA, 13 December 2005 (in Spanish)
  2. Elia y Campos, "ilusionados" por el proyecto deportivo del Real Murcia (Elia and Campos, "heartened" by Real Murcia's sporting project); Marca, 8 July 2008 (in Spanish)
  3. Elía, el primer sacrificado (Elía, first one out); La Verdad, 10 November 2009 (in Spanish)
  4. Ex portero Real Murcia Juantxo Elía anuncia su retirada por lesión de espalda (Former Real Murcia goalkeeper Juantxo Elía announces his retirement due to back injury); ABC, 30 September 2010 (in Spanish)
  5. Euskadi y Navarra ganan (Euskadi and Navarre win); Mundo Deportivo, 30 December 2014 (in Spanish)
  6. Orbaiz y Gurpegi participan en la victoria de Navarra ante China (Orbaiz and Gurpegi take part in Navarre win against China); Mundo Deportivo, 27 December 2005 (in Spanish)
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