Francisco Sandaza

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Sandaza and the second or maternal family name is Asensio.
Francisco Sandaza
Personal information
Full nameFrancisco José Sandaza Asensio
Date of birth30 November 1984
Place of birthToledo, Spain
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Girona
Number21
Youth career
Leganés
Coslada
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2003–2004Toledo B
2004Toledo7(1)
2004–2008Valencia B
2005→ Onda (loan)
2006–2007→ Puçol (loan)
2008–2010Dundee United38(11)
2010–2011Brighton & Hove Albion19(4)
2011–2012St. Johnstone27(14)
2012–2013Rangers14(2)
2013–2014Lugo26(5)
2014–Girona0(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 1 June 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Francisco José Sandaza Asensio (born 30 November 1984) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Girona FC as a striker.

Career

Valencia B

Sandaza joined Valencia in 2002 and played in the Primera División outfit's reserve team. Before, Sandaza played on loan in UD Puçol in the Tercera División (his coach that year in UD Puçol was Luis Milla). He considered leaving full-time football to become a police officer.[1][2] Sandaza is also good friend with Valencia's teammate and now Barcelona player Jordi Alba, during his time at Valencia B.[3]

Dundee United

On 11 July 2008, Sandaza instead signed for Scottish Premier League side Dundee United,[4] making his league début exactly a month later.[5] After scoring three goals in pre-season, he scored his first competitive goal for the club in the 1–1 draw against Celtic on 17 August 2008.[6] In September, Sandaza scored his second and netted four times in the first half of November, including a double against eventual champions, Rangers. Injury halted Sandaza's progress towards the end of the year and he didn't score again until late February,[7] scoring three more times in March. In his first season in Scotland, Sandaza scored ten league goals, with five coming against the Old Firm.

A groin injury prevented Sandaza from starting the 2009–10 season, with a November operation likely to see him return by the end of 2009.[8] Hernia problems restricted his appearances during the season, and he was struggling to get into the United first team so in August 2010 was allowed to go on trial with Swansea City.[9] Sandaza was eventually released by United on 31 August, allowing him to sign for another club as a free agent after the closure of the transfer window.[10]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sandaza signed for Brighton & Hove Albion under their new manager Gus Poyet.[11] Sandaza made his debut for the club, coming on for Glenn Murray in a 69th minutes, in a 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. A few week later, Sandaza scored his first goal, which turns out to be a winning goal, in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic. In the FA Cup campaign, Sandaza scored two goals in two consecutive games, in separate round victories against United of Manchester and Portsmouth. Two months later, on 22 February 2011, he scored again, but this time it's against Plymouth (the team he made his debut against). However, his time at Brighton was limited after his first team was he was surplus to requirements, due to goalscoring form of Ashley Barnes and Glenn Murray. At the end of the season, the club would get promoted to the Championship.

In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players.[12]

St. Johnstone

On 25 July 2011, Sandaza signed a one-year deal with St. Johnstone.[13] Sandaza scored 12 goals in his first 17 appearances for St. Johnstone, which prompted the club to offer him an extended contract.[14] Due to his goalscoring form for St Johnstone, Rangers made a pre-contract offer for Sandaza as his contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Sandaza eventually rejected Rangers' offers, claiming he did not want to be a 'cheap' option.[15] Following his decision to reject the move, the Glasgow club entered administration, leading Sandaza to say he was relieved to have turned down a pre-contract deal, while acknowledging his sympathy for Rangers' plight.[16] Sandaza became a free agent after announcing he was leaving the club.[17]

"It was really disappointing and not the way I wanted to say goodbye. We had a couple of chances in the first-half and I had one later. My dad saw it on television in Spain and said my goal was onside and should have counted.It was my last game for St Johnstone and I wanted to say goodbye with a goal. It has been a very successful year for myself and for the club. When I came here the objective was to get into the top six and we have done that. Derek McInnnes and Steve Lomas are both good managers and I am grateful to them for giving me my chance. I also want to thank the club and the supporters. I will always love the club and who knows, maybe I will come back one day. Never say never."
—Sandaza on leaving the club.[17]

Rangers

On 7 August 2012, Sandaza signed a three-year deal with Rangers.[18] On 18 August, Sandaza scored his first Rangers goal and provided a double assist in front of a 49,118 crowd at Ibrox, as Rangers won 5–1 against East Stirlingshire.[19] On 20 January, Sandaza scored his second Rangers goal away to Peterhead to give the light blues a 1–0 victory[20] In September, Sandaza soon suffered an injury on a cheekbone and was taken to hospital for an X-ray after clashed heads with Motherwell's Shaun Hutchinson in Scottish Communities League Cup, which Rangers won 2–0. His injury might cause him to be out for eight weeks, with possibilities of being out for the rest of the year.[21]

After admitting to a telephone hoaxer, who claimed to be a football agent, that he was only at Rangers for the money and would leave if an alternative offer was made, suitable for the club as well, he was suspended by the club. He did not appear in training or play for the club again after that incident.[22] During his suspension, Sandaza feared his Rangers career might be over as he suspected that club owner Charles Green[23] wished to sell him. That fear was proven correct as the club, after an investigation into the 'hoax agent' incident, terminated his contract subject to the right of appeal.[24][25] Shortly after his release, Sandaza attempted to sue the club over this breach of contract.[26] On 18 July 2013, Sandaza dropped his lawsuit against the club and the hoaxer.[27]

Lugo

On 18 July 2013 Sandaza signed a contract with CD Lugo, returning to Spain after five years abroad.[28]

Controversy

Toward the end of the 2011–12 season, Sandaza was banned from driving after admitting to being more than twice the legal limit when he was caught driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Perth. After initially letting him go, police became concerned about the way he drove off and pulled him over again a short time later to perform a breathalyzer test. At Perth Sheriff Court, Sandaza was given a 16-month driving ban and fined £550.[29]

In March 2013, Sandaza was duped into discussing a possible transfer away from Rangers by a hoax telephone caller posing as a football agent. His comment about Rangers resulted in him being suspended by the club following a decision and an immediate investigation into the comment.[30] The incident also led him to threaten legal action against the prankster[22] However, his Rangers career ended after the club terminated his contract, subject to the right of appeal.[24] Following his release, Rangers legend Mark Hateley wrote in the Daily Record and spoke negatively about Sandaza, but stated that Sandaza leaving would be like a new signing.[31] The only person to speak in Sandaza's defence was Manager Ally McCoist, describing the affair as "just a sad chapter for everybody" and Sandaza as "a smashing lad".[32]

Career statistics

As of 18 March 2013[33]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee United 2008–09 31101030003510
2009–10 7110000081
Brighton & Hove Albion 2010–11 152420000194
St. Johnstone 2011–12 26143123003118
Rangers 2012–13 142102020192
Career total 9329103732011235

Honours

Valencia Mestalla

Brighton and Hove Albion

Rangers

References

  1. ↑ "Sandaza ignores Spanish interest". BBC Sport. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  2. ↑ "Francisco Sandaza: I almost quit football to become a cop". Daily Record. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Francisco Sandaza: I told Jordi Alba that Rangers have more passion than Barcelona". Daily Record. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sandaza signs for United". Dundee United F.C. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  5. ↑ "Hamilton Accies 3–1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  6. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (17 August 2008). "Dundee United 1–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  7. ↑ "Francisco Sandaza missing for Rangers visit". Daily Record. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  8. ↑ "Sandaza groin operation postponed". BBC Sport. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "Swansea trial for Dundee Utd striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  10. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  11. ↑ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  12. ↑ "Poyet to release six of Brighton and Hove Albion squad". BBC Sport. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  13. ↑ "Saints snap up striker". St. Johnstone F.C. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  14. ↑ Spence, Jim (4 January 2012). "St Johnstone unfazed by Francisco Sandaza contract 'snub'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Sandaza explains snub". Sky Sports. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  16. ↑ "Sandaza glad he rejected Gers". Sky Sports. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Sandaza bows out". Perthshire Advertiser. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Rangers sign Kevin Kyle, Fran Sandaza and Emilson Cribari". BBC Sport. 7 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "Rangers v E Stirling – 18th Aug 2012 – Report – Scottish Third – Sky Sports Football". Sky Sports.
  20. ↑ Sky Sports http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/280152/report. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ "Francisco Sandaza could be out for the rest of the year with broken cheekbone". Sky Sports. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "Sandaza fears for his future". The Scottish Sun. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  23. ↑ 24.0 24.1 McGowan, Stephen (3 April 2013). "Rangers SACK striker Sandaza after investigation into hoax call from taxi driver who duped striker into admitting he was only in Glasgow 'for the money'". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved March 2013.
  24. ↑ "Rangers terminate Francisco Sandaza contract after hoax call". BBC Sport. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "PFA remain in dark over Sandaza's intentions". Herald Scotland. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "Rangers agree to terminate Francisco Sandaza contract". BBC Sport. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  27. ↑ El Lugo ficha a Fran Sandaza (Lugo signs Fran Sandaza); Marca, 18 July 2013 (Spanish)
  28. ↑ "Ban for St Johnstone's Francisco Sandaza after drink driving conviction". BBC News. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  29. ↑ "Rangers suspend Francisco Sandaza over comments made in hoax call". London: The Guardian. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  30. ↑ "I've no sympathy for Francisco Sandaza.. he let Rangers down". Daily Record. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  31. ↑ Wilson, Mark (19 July 2013). "McCoist sympathy as Spaniard Sandaza terminates contract after internet hoax". London: Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "Fran Sandaza". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 August 2012.

External links