| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Sebástian Saja | ||
| Date of birth | June 5, 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | La Plata, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Racing Club | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2008 | San Lorenzo | 145 | (6) |
| 2003 | → Brescia (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Rayo Vallecano (loan) | 20 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Club América (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Córdoba (loan) | 23 | (0) |
| 2007 | → Grêmio (loan) | 30 | (0) |
| 2008–2011 | AEK Athens | 72 | (0) |
| 2011– | Racing Club | 19 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1997–1999 | Argentina U20 | 24 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Argentina | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 July 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Diego Sebastián Saja (born 5 June 1979 in La Plata, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda as a goalkeeper.
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Saja had 145 overall appearances for Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, being voted South America's best goalkeeper in 2002. The previous year, he helped the side win the Clausura, Mercosur Cup and South American Cup.
Saja split 2003–04 with Brescia Calcio and Rayo Vallecano, being first-choice and dropping down a level with the latter. Moving to another side in Spain and in the second division for the following season, he would also be relegated with Córdoba CF.
After a spell in Mexico with Club América, Saja returned to San Lorenzo making 34 appearances and scoring five goals, but was again sent out on loan, this time to Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, after falling out of favor with new manager Ramón Díaz.
Released in 2008, Saja signed a three-year contract with AEK Athens FC, earning approximately €400.000. He said to the media that this was a massive opportunity to play in Europe. However, the year he joined, the club was quickly eliminated from UEFA Cup contention.[1] On May 31, 2009, Saja signed a new three-year deal with AEK.[2]
On 29 June 2011, Saja and AEK agreed to terminate his contract one year before it expired.[3] Shortly after, the 32-year old returned to his homeland and joined Racing Club de Avellaneda.
Saja had four caps for Argentina, making his debut against Wales, on 13 February 2002 (1–1 in Cardiff).[4]
In the following year, he appeared in a further three friendlies, with Honduras (3–1), Mexico (1–0) and the United States (1–0).[5]
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