Pablo Couñago

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Personal information
Pablo Couñago

Full name	Pablo González Couñago
Date of birth	August 9, 1979 (1979-08-09) (age 28)
Place of birth	Redondela, Spain
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Ipswich Town
Number	9
Youth clubs
1995-1996 1995-1996 1996-1998	Celta Vigo Juvenil B Celta Vigo Juvenil (División Honor) Celta de Vigo B
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 2001–2005 2005–2007 2007–	CD Numancia Recreativo de Huelva Celta de Vigo Ipswich Town Málaga CF Ipswich Town	013 0(1) 025 0(4) 008 0(0) 099 (31) 044 0(8) 034 (12)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 January 2008. * Appearances (Goals)

Pablo González Couñago (born August 9, 1979 in Pontevedra in Spain) is a Spanish footballer, who plays for Ipswich Town.

Prior to that he had played for Celta de Vigo (Dec 1998 to July 2001) - during which time had spells on loan at CD Numancia (August 1998 to December 1998) and Recreativo de Huelva (August 1999 to May 2000) - Ipswich Town F.C. (July 2001 to July 2005) and Málaga CF (July 2005 to July 2007).

A regular Spanish Under-21 international from 1999 to 2001 (he was joint top scorer in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship), his potential was highlighted in February 2001 when he scored twice in a 4–0 rout of the England Under 21s. The match was watched by George Burley, who was then Ipswich manager. This prompted him to sign Couñago, who was out of contract, agreeing a four year deal with the player.

After being released by Málaga, on 13 July 2007, he re-signed for the Tractor Boys on a two year deal, extending to three if the club gains promotion.^[1]

Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton said of Couñago "I have always looked at Pablo as a player with all the attributes to be top class. He enjoyed a good relationship with the fans of this club, but I don't think anyone really saw the best of Pablo in his first spell here".

Couñago said of the move back to Town, "It's great to be back here at Ipswich. I'm really excited about the move. As soon as I knew that Jim wanted me I was keen to come back. It's good to feel wanted. I also know the way Jim likes to play football, pass, pass, pass and that is good for me as well". He scored a return debut goal in the 4–1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday and scored two goals in the 4–1 win over Coventry on 22 September 2007.

As of 17 April 2008, he is Ipswich's joint top goalscorer with 12 goals.^[2] One of those goals, his rather audacious back heel in their 3-1 defeat to Charlton on 8 December 2007, was voted goal of the 2007/2008 season and was among one of the award winners at Town's 07/08 awards night.^[3]

At the end of the season he finished with 12 goals making him joint second top goalscorer.

[edit] Personal life

His surname, is actually González-Couñago, latter from mother. But due to the popularity of González, he chose to call himself by his mother's surname.