Francis (footballer)

Francis
Personal information
Full nameFrancisco Jesús Pérez Malia
Date of birth17 December 1981
Place of birthBarbate, Spain
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing positionRight back / Midfielder
Club information
Current team
Racing Santander
Number7
Youth career
Barbate
Xerez
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2010Xerez199(2)
2001→ Getafe (loan)2(0)
2001–2002→ San Fernando (loan)36(3)
2002–2003→ Écija (loan)31(4)
2010–Racing Santander123(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 February 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Pérez and the second or maternal family name is Malia.

Francisco Jesús Pérez Malia, commonly known as Francis (born 17 December 1981), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Racing de Santander mainly as a right back.

Football career

Born in Barbate, Cádiz, Francis made his senior debuts with local Xerez CD. After three consecutive loans with third division clubs, including Getafe CF, he returned to his alma mater and made his professional debuts in 2003–04's second level, scoring once in 26 games. He went on to become an important first-team member, with the Andalusians achieving a first-ever La Liga promotion in the 2008–09 season.

Francis spent most of the short-lived top division campaign as a right back. On 8 May 2010, as Xerez still harboured chances of staying in the top flight, he netted his only goal of the season, in a 3–2 home win against Real Zaragoza;[1] late into that month, his contract expired and he signed with Racing de Santander for four seasons.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Victory keeps Xerez hopes alive; ESPN Soccernet, 8 May 2010
  2. ↑ Official: Racing Santander sign Domingo Cisma and Francis; Goal.com, 18 May 2010

External links