| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rubén Palazuelos García | ||
| Date of birth | 11 April 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Santander, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Alavés | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Racing Santander | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2004 | Racing B | 52 | (7) |
| 2004–2005 | Lanzarote | 20 | (1) |
| 2005–2006 | Palencia | 28 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Gimnástica | 0 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | → Aris (loan) | 21 | (0) |
| 2007–2011 | Hearts | 114 | (3) |
| 2011– | Alavés | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Rubén Palazuelos García (born 11 April 1983 in Santander, Cantabria) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Deportivo Alavés as a defensive midfielder.
Palazuelos began his career with hometown side Racing de Santander, but never made it past the reserves. Released in 2004, he spent his first professional seasons in the country's third division, with UD Lanzarote and CF Palencia, before moving to Gimnástica de Torrelavega in 2006 (also in that level).
However, he did not represent the Cantabrian neighbours in one single official match, and joined Greek side Aris Thessaloniki on loan for the 2006–07 season. In the following summer, Palazuelos signed for Heart of Midlothian after a protracted process on 31 July 2007,[1] as the player reportedly paid for his release from his Gimnástica contract.[2]
Palazuelos made his debut for the club in the 1–1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie in August 2007, and scored his first goal for Hearts against Falkirk in a 2–1 away defeat at the Falkirk Stadium. He scored another two times in 2008–09, against Motherwell in a victory, and at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium, in which he netted the 2–2 equaliser.