Mark González

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Mark Dennis González Hoffman (born July 10, 1984 in Durban, South Africa) commonly known as Mark González, is a Chilean footballer whose preferred position is as a left winger. Renowned for his lightning pace, he is nicknamed "Speedy Gonzalez". Gonzalez currently plays for Real Betis.

[edit] Career

[edit] Albacete

González had agreed a move to Liverpool F.C. on loan for the 2005-06 season (with a view to a permanent £1.5 million move) from Albacete Balompié. However, he was denied a work permit by the Department of Education and Employment in August 2005. The Liverpool management showed great faith in González, pursuing his services despite work permit troubles and a cruciate knee ligament injury. After a quicker than expected return to fitness Liverpool were persuaded to make the move permanent in October 2005, but the player was immediately loaned back to Albacete to continue his recouperation after an appeal against the earlier work permit decision was rejected (a new work permit application can only be put forward one year after the original application). Arrangements were then made for the player to spend a loan spell at Real Sociedad until summer 2006.

[edit] Real Sociedad

At Sociedad González put in some impressive performances, most notably against Real Madrid, against whom he scored Sociedad's equaliser as the game finished 1-1. He only started 12 games for Sociedad scoring 5 goals. Sociedad have shown interest in taking him permanently, along with several other La Liga clubs, but González is quoted to have said "I am very thankful to Real Sociedad and their coach Jose Mari Bakero, but while they'd like me to stay I'm going to England to join Liverpool."^[1]

González is now eligible for a Spanish passport, and a work permit application has now been granted . On 30 June 2006, Mark González retired from international football, at the tender age of 21. This was due to a rift with the national team coach who had sent him home from the Chilean international tour. However he has recently made himself available again for selection with the national team.

[edit] Liverpool FC

On July 5, 2006, González was granted a work permit, and was allowed to start his Liverpool career, wearing the number 11 shirt. His manager, Rafael Benítez, said "This is very good news for us and I am absolutely delighted to welcome Mark González to Liverpool as he is a player the supporters will like to see," Mark González made his first appearance coming on as a sub at half time in a pre-season friendly against Crewe Alexandra.

González made an excellent first impression on his competitive debut on August 9, 2006 against Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, coming off the bench (in the 85th minute for Steven Gerrard) to score an 88th minute winner in Liverpool's Champion's League 3rd Round Qualifier to seal a 2-1 win. He scored his first Premiership goal in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on his first Premiership start for the club.

González was injured inside the first ten minutes of the quarter finals of the Carling Cup against Arsenal F.C. on January 9, 2007. He was brought off on a stretcher for Luis Garcia, who was also subbed injured later in the match.

[edit] Real Betis

On May 24, 2007, Rafael Benitez confirmed that Liverpool had almost reached an agreement with Real Betis over the Chilean winger. ^[2] On June 12 Mark Gonzalez confirmed he has signed a contract for £4.5 million with Real Betis. Real Betis presented the player to the press and fans on July 17, 2007. He went on to score on his home debut with a penalty goal in the 1-0 victory over Champions League Winners AC Milan in the Centenary Match in front of 55,000 Beticos. Gonzalez scored in a famous 2-1 victory over high-flying Real Madrid to steer Real Betis out of the relegation zone in La Liga. Up to date Gonzalez has scored six goals in 22 first team appearances, Scoring all six of those goals in his past 10 appearances.

[edit] Career honours

Liverpool

• 2006-07 FA Community Shield
• 2006-07 UEFA Champions League Runner-up

[edit] Statistics

Correct as of 30 June 2007.

[edit] References

1. ^ Gonzalez committed to Reds. Skysports.com (May 10, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-24.
2. ^ González set to leave Reds. Report on liverpoolfc.tv (May 24, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-24.

[edit] External links

• (Spanish) Official website of Real Betis Balompié S.A.D.
• Mark González career stats at Soccerbase

v • d • e Chile squad - Copa América 2004 1 Bravo • 2 Álvarez • 3 L. Fuentes • 4 Pérez • 5 Ramírez • 6 Acuña • 7 Valenzuela • 8 Millar • 9 S. González • 10 Jiménez • 11 M. González • 12 Varas • 13 I. Fuentes • 14 Villarroel • 15 Mancilla • 16 Cisternas • 17 Mirosevic • 18 Meléndez • 19 Olarra • 20 Aros • 21 Figueroa • 22 Galaz • Coach: Olmos

v • d • e Chile squad - Copa América 2007 1 Bravo • 2 Ormeño • 3 Rocco • 4 Fuentes • 5 Riffo • 6 Cabión • 7 Tello • 8 Suazo • 9 Navia • 10 Valdivia • 11 González • 12 Peric • 13 Vargas • 14 Fernández • 15 Contreras • 16 Iturra • 17 Sanhueza • 18 Meléndez • 19 Jara • 20 Fierro • 21 Villanueva • 22 Lorca • Coach: Acosta