David Albelda

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David Albelda
Personal information
Full name David Albelda Aliqués
Date of birth September 1, 1977 (1977-09-01) (age 30)
Place of birth    Alzira, Valencia, Spain
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Playing position Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club Valencia CF
Number 6
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1995–1996
1996–1997
1997–1998
1998–1999
1999–present
Valencia CF B
Villarreal CF (loan)
Valencia CF
Villarreal CF (loan)
Valencia CF
31 (4)
34 (0)
5 (0)
35 (2)
233 (5)   
National team2
2001- Spain 51 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 14 May, 2008.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 6 June, 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)

Olympic medal record
Competitor for Flag of Spain Spain
Men's Football
Silver 2000 Sydney Team Competition

David Albelda Aliqués, Albelda (born September 1, 1977 in Alzira) is a Spanish football player, currently playing as a defensive midfielder with Valencia CF, best known for his tackling abilities, stamina and leadership skills.

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[edit] Club career

Albelda started his career as a centre-back, and served two separate loans with Villarreal CF, returning for good in 1999, playing a major role in a squad that emerged league champions in 2002 and 2004, adding to that the 2004 UEFA Cup. Since 2001-02, with Gaizka Mendieta's departure, he was also awarded team captaincy.

On December 20, 2007, David Albelda, along with fellow teammates Santiago Cañizares and Miguel Ángel Angulo was axed from the Valencia squad by recently arrived coach Ronald Koeman.[1]

In response, on January 2, 2008, Albelda's lawyer claimed that Valencia had ignored his client's plea for an amicable end to the player's contract, with legal recourse the only possible avenue left.[2] With news of this hitting the media, several teams, although he would not be able to join any Spanish team for the remainder of the season, having played more than 4 league games, studied the possibility of signing him in the winter transfer window, with hopes of a free transfer.

In late April 2008, however, with Koeman's sacking, all three were reinstated by new manager Voro in a squad seriously threatened with relegation, with five remaining rounds. He returned to action in the second half of the May 4, 0-6 away loss at FC Barcelona, and receiving his first post-reinstatement start in a 5-1 away success against Levante UD on the 11th, as Valencia mathematically retained topflight status.

[edit] International career

A Spanish international since 2001, Albelda was part of the Spanish squad in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He also played in Euro 2004.

In addition, he also won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and represented his nation in 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.

[edit] References

[edit] External links