Javi Chica

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Javi Chica
Di Maria.jpg
Chica (left) in action for Espanyol in 2010
Personal information
Full name Francisco Javier Chica Torres
Date of birth (1985-05-17) 17 May 1985 (age 36)
Place of birth Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Full back
Youth career
Martinenc
1996–2004 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Espanyol B 48 (0)
2006–2011 Espanyol 117 (0)
2011–2014 Betis 62 (2)
2014–2016 Valladolid 59 (0)
2017–2018 Llagostera 47 (0)
2018–2019 Grama 31 (0)
National team
2003 Spain U17 1 (0)
2004 Spain U19 5 (0)
2005 Spain U20 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 May 2019

Francisco Javier "Javi" Chica Torres (born 17 May 1985) is a Spanish footballer. Capable of appearing at either right or left back, his main asset is his physical strength.

He spent the better part of his professional career with Espanyol, appearing in 136 competitive matches during his five-year spell. In La Liga, he also represented Betis.

Club career[]

Espanyol[]

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Chica was a product of RCD Espanyol's youth system. He made his first-team debut on 15 October 2006 in a 0–0 away draw against Villarreal CF,[1] and played 27 La Liga games in his first year, adding ten appearances as the team went all the way to the UEFA Cup final, losing it to fellow league side Sevilla FC (he did not play in the decisive match itself).

Never an undisputed starter in the following seasons, Chica continued to be regularly used at Espanyol, featuring in an average of more than 20 matches per season as either a right or a left back.

Betis[]

In late May 2011, free agent Chica signed a four-year contract with Real Betis, freshly returned to the top division.[2] He made his official debut on 27 August, starting at right defender in a 1–0 away win against Granada CF.[3]

Chica scored his first goal as a senior on 20 April 2014, but it happened in a 1–3 loss at Rayo Vallecano,[4] and the Andalusians also suffered relegation at the end of the campaign after ranking dead last.

Valladolid[]

On 9 July 2014, despite having still one year left on his Betis contract, Chica agreed to a two-year deal with Real Valladolid, also in Segunda División.[5]

Honours[]

Club[]

Espanyol

International[]

Spain U19

References[]

  1. ^ Villarreal 0–0 Espanyol; ESPN Soccernet, 15 October 2006
  2. ^ Chica es el primer fichaje del Betis para Primera (Chica is Betis' first signing for Primera); Marca, 24 May 2011 (in Spanish)
  3. ^ Rubén Castro hace justicia (Rubén Castro does justice); El País, 28 August 2011 (in Spanish)
  4. ^ Rayo win puts pressure on Betis; ESPN FC, 20 April 2014
  5. ^ "Javi Chica, apuesta segura para el lateral derecho" [Javi Chica, safe bet for the right flank] (in Spanish). Real Valladolid. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2018.

External links[]

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