Fran Mérida

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Fran Mérida
Personal information
Full name Francisco Mérida Pérez
Date of birth March 4, 1990 (1990-03-04) (age 18)
Place of birth    Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Arsenal F.C.
Number 42
Youth clubs
1998-2005
2006-2007		 FC Barcelona
Arsenal
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2007-
2008		 Arsenal
→ Real Sociedad (loan)
 0 (0)
13 (1)
   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 2008-02-17.
* Appearances (Goals)

Francisco Mérida Pérez (born 4 March 1990 in Barcelona) is a Spanish football midfielder who is currently at Arsenal F.C. of the English Premier League.

Contents

[edit] Barcelona

Mérida joined the youth ranks of FC Barcelona at the age of eight[1] but left the club in September 2005 and was reportedly hidden away by his agent, Joseba Díaz leading to speculation that he would leave for England with no compensation for the Spanish club as was the case when Cesc Fàbregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona. Fran Merida's parents had become uneasy about all the young players joining Barcelona and felt that youngster would have a better chance elsewhere. Therefore, they approached Díaz, also Cesc Fabregas' agent, and he promptly alerted Real Madrid, A.C. Milan, and Arsenal. Barcelona's fears were realized when Mérida joined Arsenal without compensation, as he had not signed a contract with Barcelona.

[edit] Contract controvesy

On October 9, 2007, Mérida was ordered by the courts to pay a fee around €3.2million -- which is being appealed -- to FC Barcelona as compensation for his "failing to meet the terms of a personal pre-contract" with Barcelona.[2] The decision could have serious implications for clubs in England, where players can sign professional contracts at 16, two years earlier than in Spain. In response, a Madrid-based lawyer, Rodrigo García, was quoted as saying, "English teams will now think again before signing a young Spanish player...It's an important ruling."[3]


[edit] Arsenal

He signed professional terms with Arsenal after his 17th birthday.[4] He scored on his first team debut for Arsenal in a friendly against Boreham Wood in August 2006.[5] His competitive first-team debut came on 25 September 2007, when he came on as a 91st minute substitute in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Newcastle in the Carling Cup third round,[6] and he made further substitute's appearances in a 3-0 win against Sheffield United in the fourth round, and a 3-2 win against Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals. On April 3rd 2008, Mérida extended his deal with Arsenal by signing a long-term(unspecified) contract, securing his future with Arsenal. He is expected to play an important role from next season as manager Arsène Wenger described him as "an absolutely amazing player".[7]

[edit] Real Sociedad

On December 27, 2007, Iñaki Badiola, the prospective presidential candidate of the Spanish club Real Sociedad, claimed that he agreed a loan deal with Arsenal for Mérida till the end of the Segunda División season. Badiola became Real Sociedad president on January 4 and Merida's loan to Real Sociedad was confirmed five days later.[8]


[edit] International career

Mérida was one of the star member of the Spanish U-17 squad, that won the 2007 UEFA U-17 Championships.[1] In July 2007, he also starred for the Spain U-17 squad in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea but unfortunately, they finished runners up.[5] Losing out to Nigeria on penalty shootout with Mérida missing the second penalty of the three.

[edit] Arsenal career statistics

(correct as of 19 May 2008)
Club Season League FA Cup Carling Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Arsenal 2007-08 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
Real Sociedad (loan) 2007-08 13 1 0 - - - - - - 0 0 0 13 1 0

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Saffer, Paul. "Mérida to make Spain proud", UEFA, 2007-05-02. Retrieved on 2007-08-02. 
  2. ^ Barca wins lawsuit against Arsenal's Merida. Fox Sports (2005-10-17).
  3. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/10/11/sfnbar111.xml Fran Merida hit for £2m by Barcelona
  4. ^ "Fran Merida signs professional terms", arsenal.com, 2007-03-08. Retrieved on 2007-08-02. 
  5. ^ a b Harris, Chris. "Banfield - We have high hopes for Merida", arsenal.com, 2006-08-07. Retrieved on 2007-08-02. 
  6. ^ Sky Sports - Match facts (Arsenal v. Newcastle)
  7. ^ Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Wenger delight at Merida deal
  8. ^ Mérida: "Aportaré mi granito de arena para intentar ascender" (Spanish). RealSociedad.com.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Arsenal F.C. – current squad

2 Diaby • 3 Sagna • 4 Fàbregas • 5 Touré • 6 Senderos • 7 Rosický • 9 Eduardo • 10 Gallas • 11 van Persie • 13 Hleb • 15 Denílson • 17 Song • 19 Gilberto • 20 Djourou • 21 Fabiański • 22 Clichy • 24 Almunia • 25 Adebayor • 26 Bendtner • 27 Eboué • 30 Traoré • 31 J. Hoyte • 32 Walcott • 34 Gibbs • 35 Nordtveit • 36 Randall • 37 Rodgers • 38 Simpson • 39 Lansbury • 40 Mannone • 41 G. Hoyte • 42 Mérida • 43 Barazite • 44 Ogogo • 45 Dunne • 46 Gilbert • 47 Steer • — Vela • — Ramsey • Manager: Wenger