Roberto Soldado

Roberto Soldado
Soldado lining up for Spain in 2013
Personal information
Full name Roberto Soldado Rillo[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-27) 27 May 1985
Place of birth Valencia, Spain
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Fenerbahçe
Number 9
Youth career
1990–2000 Don Bosco
2000–2002 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Real Madrid B 120 (63)
2006–2008 Real Madrid 16 (2)
2006–2007 → Osasuna (loan) 30 (11)
2008–2010 Getafe 60 (29)
2010–2013 Valencia 101 (59)
2013–2015 Tottenham Hotspur 52 (7)
2015–2017 Villarreal 38 (9)
2017– Fenerbahçe 29 (9)
National team
2001 Spain U15 2 (0)
2001–2003 Spain U17 18 (12)
2003 Spain U18 3 (3)
2002–2004 Spain U19 9 (5)
2004–2007 Spain U21 9 (6)
2007–2013 Spain 12 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 2 September 2018

Roberto Soldado Rillo (Spanish pronunciation: [roˈβeɾto solˈdaðo ˈriʎo]; born 27 May 1985) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Turkish club Fenerbahçe SK as a striker.

After emerging through Real Madrid's youth system, he went on to appear in only 27 official games for the first team (four goals). However, he became a more regular La Liga player and goalscorer for Osasuna, Getafe, and Valencia, and secured a £26 million move to Tottenham Hotspur. After two unsuccessful seasons in England, he returned to the Spanish top division with Villarreal.

An international since 2007, Soldado represented Spain at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Club career

Real Madrid

Born in Valencia, Valencian Community, Soldado joined Real Madrid at the age of 15 from native region small club CF Don Bosco. After years of prolific goalscoring with the former's reserves, he made his first-team debut on 23 October 2005 against Valencia CF, playing 18 minutes in a 1–2 home loss.[3] Previously, on 28 September, he had scored an 86th-minute winner after just six minutes on the pitch, in the season's UEFA Champions League match against Olympiakos FC (2–1 home win),[4] adding a late equalizer against CA Osasuna[5] and another in a 3–2 success at Racing de Santander as Real finished second in the league,[6] also netting in the 4–0 defeat of Athletic Bilbao for the Copa del Rey.[7]

In the 2005–06 campaign, with Castilla, Soldado scored 19 goals in Segunda División – two penalties – to become joint-second highest goalscorer, alongside Ciudad de Murcia's José Juan Luque, one behind Ikechukwu Uche of Recreativo de Huelva.[8]

On 24 July 2006, Soldado officially became the first member of Real Madrid to leave under new manager Fabio Capello and new president Ramón Calderón, moving to fellow La Liga club Osasuna on a season-long loan. Set to score goals and return as a better footballer, he stated: "The idea is to leave and have a good season with a first division team scoring goals, and to develop as a footballer".[9] His new team had finished fourth in the previous campaign to earn themselves a place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, hence he chose them over a number of other Spanish clubs competing for his presence. "The following year I want to return to the Real first team. I chose Osasuna because it gives me the chance to play in the Champions League", he said to Real Madrid's website after his signing; he finished with a total of 13 goals across all competitions, making him the Navarrese's top scorer.[10]

Soldado returned to Real Madrid where, on 11 July 2007, he renewed his contract with the team until 30 June 2012.[11] In a 21 July interview with Spanish newspaper Diario AS, he revealed that he would be wearing number 9 shirt in his second stint: "During the preseason I'll be number 9, the number I've always dreamed of. When I step onto the pitch at the Bernabéu I'll remember all the hard work it took to get here".[12] However, he finished the season with just five league appearances (one start, at Deportivo de La Coruña), the second with fewer minutes for the league champions.[13][14]

Getafe

In late July 2008, Soldado was sold to Getafe CF for €4 million, signing a four-year deal with the side from the Madrid outskirts[15] like former Real player Esteban Granero the previous week. He scored his first goal for them on 19 October 2008 in a 1–2 away loss against Málaga CF, adding two in another away defeat, with Osasuna (2–5), two months later;[16] in between, he was sent off in a 0–3 home loss to Valencia for a headbutt on Carlos Marchena.[17]

On 25 January 2009, Soldado netted a hat-trick as an early substitute, in a 5–1 home win over Sporting de Gijón.[18] On 22 March, as Getafe struggled in the league, he scored twice to secure another home triumph, 2–1 with Recreativo de Huelva.[19] The following month he netted the opener against his first professional club, albeit in a 2–3 away defeat.[20]

Soldado started 2009–10 in impressive fashion, putting three past Racing Santander in a 4–1 away win.[21] After a long scoring drought, he added three more against newly promoted Xerez CD, in a 5–1 home triumph.[22]

On 19 December 2009, Soldado took his league tally to ten after scoring twice in a 2–1 win at Sevilla FC – with this achievement, he became Getafe's best ever scorer in the first division, surpassing Manu del Moral and Dani Güiza;[23] he missed one month of competition due to injury but, in his return to action, scored from a bicycle kick, earning his side a point in the 1–1 home draw against Gijón.[24]

Valencia

Soldado playing for Valencia in August 2011

In early June 2010, after a successful year at Getafe – 16 league goals, and qualification to the UEFA Europa League – Soldado returned to his hometown and signed for Valencia for €10 million, replacing FC Barcelona-bound David Villa.[25] In his first official game, on 14 September, for the Champions League group stage, he contributed one goal in the Che's 4–0 win at Bursaspor;[26] when the two sides met at the Mestalla Stadium in November, he netted two more, in a 6–1 success.[27]

On 2 April 2011, Soldado scored all of Valencia's goals in a 4–2 away win against former club Getafe.[28] In the next fixture, a local derby against Villarreal CF, he netted two more in a 5–0 home thrashing,[29] and finished the season as joint-fourth top scorer as his team ranked third and qualified to the Champions League.

In his first game of 2011–12, Soldado scored four goals against Racing Santander (one in his own net) in an eventual 4–3 home win – his last two arrived in the final three minutes.[30] In late November 2011, in two home games separated by only five days, he added five more: two in a 2–3 home loss to Real Madrid[31] and three in a 7–0 routing of K.R.C. Genk for the Champions League group stage.[32]

Soldado scored his 25th competitive goal of the campaign on 18 March 2012, netting all of his team's goals in a 3–0 win at Bilbao.[33] In late June, he extended his contract until 2017.[34]

On 23 October 2012, Soldado scored a hat-trick against FC BATE Borisov in a 3–0 success for the Champions League group stage in Minsk.[35]

Tottenham Hotspur

Soldado and Christian Eriksen kicking off for Tottenham against Cardiff City

Valencia agreed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur for the transfer of Soldado on 1 August 2013, for a fee of £26 million,[36] which would break the English club's previous record of £17 million paid for Paulinho earlier in the summer. The transfer was completed four days later after a successful medical.[37]

On his Premier League debut on 18 August, Soldado scored Tottenham's winning goal with a penalty kick in a 1–0 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.[38] Four days later, he scored his first goals in European competition for Spurs, netting a brace in a 5–0 win at FC Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League playoff round.[39]

On 20 October, Soldado scored his first Premier League goal from open play, in a 2–0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park.[40] Two months later he netted his first hat-trick for Tottenham, against FC Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League group stage (4–1).[41]

Soldado scored the only goal against relegation-threatened Cardiff City on 2 March 2014, his first goal of the calendar year for Tottenham.[42] He netted just six times in his debut season, only two of which came from open play, and was included in The Telegraph website's list of the "10 worst buys of the Premier League season".[43]

On 18 October 2014, making his first league start of the campaign, Soldado set up Christian Eriksen's goal during the match against Manchester City, also having a penalty saved by Joe Hart in an eventual 1–4 away loss.[44] His first goal came on 30 November, the decisive in a 2–1 home victory over Everton.[45]

Villarreal

On 14 August 2015, Soldado returned to his country's top flight, signing a three-year contract with Villarreal CF for a reported £10 million.[46][47] He scored in his very first appearance, helping to a 1–1 draw at Real Betis in which he started and retired injured midway through the second half.[48]

On 13 December 2015, Soldado netted the game's only goal to help defeat his former club Real Madrid at the Estadio El Madrigal.[49] He missed the vast majority of 2016–17, due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee contracted in pre-season.[50]

Fenerbahçe

On 11 August 2017, Fenerbahçe SK announced the signing of Soldado.[51] After failing to score in his first ten games, he scored a hat-trick as a 61st-minute substitute on 19 November in a 4–1 home win over Sivasspor.[52]

International career

Soldado represented Spain at all its youth levels, scoring a total of 26 goals. He was first called up to the first team in June 2007 for two UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Latvia and Liechtenstein, playing in both;[53][54] he did not make it to the finals in Switzerland and Austria, however, as the nation emerged victorious.

On 29 February 2012, after nearly five years of absence, Soldado returned to the national team: he came on as a substitute for Fernando Llorente at half-time of a friendly with Venezuela in Málaga, scoring twice after only seven minutes on the pitch; afterwards, he won a penalty and the sending off of Fernando Amorebieta, but missed the ensuing attempt, only to close the score at 5–0 in the 83rd minute.[55]

Manager Vicente del Bosque selected Soldado for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad. He scored in the opener on 16 June, helping Spain to a 2–1 win over Uruguay.[56]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 May 2018[57][58]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Real Madrid B 2002–03 267——267
2003–04 3116——3116
2004–05 3421——3421
2005–06 2919——2919
Total 12063——12063
Real Madrid 2004–05 00200020
2005–06 1124121174
Total 1126121194
Osasuna 2006–07 3011311114413
Total 3011311114413
Real Madrid 2007–08 50201080
Total 50201080
Getafe 2008–09 341300—3413
2009–10 261664—3220
Total 602964—6633
Valencia 2010–11 341831764425
2011–12 3217631375127
2012–13 352442744630
Total 10159136271714181
Tottenham Hotspur 2013–14 28610753611
2014–15 2418282405
Total 527921577616
Villarreal 2015–16 28531132448
2016–17 1040010114
Total 389311425512
Fenerbahçe 2017–18 26963203412
Total 26963203412
Career total 43118844186726541231

International goals

As of 10 September 2013 (Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Soldado goal)

Honours

Club

Real Madrid

Tottenham

International

Spain

Spain U19

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Player profile". Premier League. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "El Valencia deja helado el Bernabéu" [Valencia freeze the Bernabéu]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 23 October 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  4. ↑ Madrid's soldier of fortune; UEFA, 29 September 2005
  5. ↑ "Osasuna atasca con uno menos al Real Madrid" [Osasuna strand Real Madrid with one less]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 18 December 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "El Madrid goza y sufre en Santander" [Madrid enjoy and suffer in Santander]. El País (in Spanish). 5 May 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "(Cro) El Real Madrid derrota al Athletic de Bilbao (4–0) en un partido con más goles que fútbol" [(Rep) Real Madrid defeat Athletic de Bilbao (4–0) in match with more goals than football] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Goleadores de 2005–2006" [2005–2006 top scorers]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Real striker Soldado to join Osasuna; ESPN Soccernet, 24 July 2006
  10. ↑ "La metamorfosis de Roberto Soldado" [The metamorphosis of Roberto Soldado]. Ideal (in Spanish). 29 January 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Madrid reward Ramos and Soldado; UEFA, 12 July 2007
  12. ↑ "Real Madrid: Soldado: "Estoy muy feliz por volver a mi casa"" [Real Madrid: Soldado: "I am very happy to return to my home"] (in Spanish). Noticias. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Roberto Soldado: "Schuster está un poco al margen del equipo"" [Roberto Soldado: "Schuster is not totally on the same page with the team"]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 27 December 2007. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Roberto Soldado: "Creo que a Schuster no le gusto mucho"" [Roberto Soldado: "I don't think Schuster likes me very much"]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 6 February 2008. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  15. ↑ Soldado set to seal Getafe switch; UEFA, 30 July 2008
  16. ↑ Osasuna 5–2 Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 21 December 2008
  17. ↑ Getafe 0–3 Valencia; ESPN Soccernet, 9 November 2008
  18. ↑ Getafe 5–1 Sporting Gijón; ESPN Soccernet, 25 January 2009
  19. ↑ Getafe 2–1 Recreativo Huelva; ESPN Soccernet, 22 March 2009
  20. ↑ Real Madrid 3–2 Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 21 April 2009
  21. ↑ Racing Santander 1–4 Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 30 August 2009
  22. ↑ Getafe 5–1 Xerez; ESPN Soccernet, 29 November 2009
  23. ↑ Soldado stun Sanchez Pizjuan; ESPN Soccernet, 19 December 2009
  24. ↑ Getafe edge closer to European place; ESPN Soccernet, 4 May 2010
  25. ↑ "El Valencia cierra el fichaje de Soldado" [Valencia complete signing of Soldado]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 9 June 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  26. ↑ Valencia new boys spoil Bursaspor debut Archived 14 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine.; UEFA, 14 September 2010
  27. ↑ Valencia vanquish Bursaspor to ease through; UEFA, 24 November 2010
  28. ↑ Soldado strikes rout Getafe; ESPN Soccernet, 2 April 2011
  29. ↑ Valencia put five past Villarreal; ESPN Soccernet, 10 April 2011
  30. ↑ Soldado late show sinks Santander Archived 2 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine.; ESPN Soccernet, 27 August 2011
  31. ↑ Real pass Los Che test; ESPN Soccernet, 19 November 2011
  32. ↑ Soldado spearheads Valencia romp; UEFA, 23 November 2011
  33. ↑ Soldado treble sinks Athletic; ESPN Soccernet, 18 March 2012
  34. ↑ Soldado signs new deal; ESPN Soccernet, 23 June 2012
  35. ↑ "Soldado treble sinks BATE". ESPN FC. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  36. ↑ "Transfer news: Valencia announce £26m fee with Tottenham agreed for Roberto Soldado – but it's not yet a done deal". The Independent. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
  37. ↑ "Transfer news: Roberto Soldado completes move to Tottenham from Valencia". Sky Sports. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  38. ↑ Wilkinson, Kerry (18 August 2013). "Crystal Palace 0–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  39. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (22 August 2013). "Dinamo Tbilisi 0–5 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  40. ↑ Winter, Henry (20 October 2013). "Aston Villa 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2: match report". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  41. ↑ Williamson, Laura (12 December 2013). "Tottenham 4 Anzhi Makhachkala 1: Soldado bags treble as Spurs keep up 100% record". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  42. ↑ Barlow, Matt (1 March 2014). "Tottenham 1–0 Cardiff: Soldado scores first goal this year as Solskjaer's troubled side fall to another defeat". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  43. ↑ "The 10 worst buys of the Premier League season: in pictures". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  44. ↑ "Manchester City 4–1 Tottenham Hotspur". BBC Sport. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  45. ↑ Hytner, David (30 November 2014). "Everton undone against Tottenham thanks to Roberto Soldado winner". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  46. ↑ "A great signing for the Yellow Submarine". Villarreal CF. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  47. ↑ "Roberto Soldado joins Villarreal after fee agreed with Tottenham". ESPN FC. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  48. ↑ "Rubén Castro llega a tiempo" [Rubén Castro arrives on time]. Marca (in Spanish). 23 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  49. ↑ "Las Ligas se pierden así" [That is how Leagues are lost]. Marca (in Spanish). 13 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  50. ↑ "Soldado se rompe el cruzado y estará seis meses de baja" [Soldado shatters cruciate and will miss six months]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 9 August 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  51. ↑ "Roberto Soldado Fenerbahçe'de" [Roberto Soldado to Fenerbahçe] (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe SK. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  52. ↑ "Fenerbahce 4–1 Sivasspor". BBC Sport. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  53. ↑ "Solid Spain continue to climb". UEFA. 3 June 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  54. ↑ "España gana y poco más" [Spain win and little more]. El País (in Spanish). 7 June 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  55. ↑ "Celestiales" [Heavenly]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  56. ↑ Dominant Spain down Uruguay; FIFA, 16 June 2013
  57. ↑ Roberto Soldado at ESPN FC
  58. ↑ "Soldado". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
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