Cristian López

Cristian López Santamaría (born 27 April 1989), known simply as Cristian, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for UD Las Palmas.

Not to be confused with Christian Lopez (footballer).
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is López and the second or maternal family name is Santamaría.
Cristian
Cristian with Lens in 2016
Personal information
Full name Cristian López Santamaría
Date of birth (1989-04-27) 27 April 1989
Place of birth Crevillent, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position(s) Forward
Club information
Current team
 Las Palmas
Number 17
Youth career
1999–2002 Crevillente
2002–2003 Hércules
2003–2007 Crevillente
2007–2009 Alicante
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Alicante 8 (2)
2009–2011 Real Madrid B 44 (10)
2011 → Valencia B (loan) 16 (11)
2011–2012 Valencia B 31 (11)
2012–2013 Atlético Baleares 35 (9)
2013–2014 Huddersfield Town 2 (0)
2013 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 5 (1)
2014 → Northampton Town (loan) 3 (0)
2014–2015 Burgos 36 (13)
2015–2016 CFR Cluj 44 (16)
2016–2018 Lens 63 (26)
2018–2019 Angers 19 (2)
2019–2020 Hatta 12 (5)
2020– Las Palmas 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 March 2020

Club career

Alicante

Born in Crevillent, Alicante, Valencian Community, Cristian played for several clubs as a youth, including local Crevillente Deportivo and Alicante CF. He made his debut for the latter's first team during the 2007–08 season, as they returned to Segunda División after a 50-year absence.

In the following campaign, Cristian continued playing mostly with the reserves in Tercera División, with the main squad finally being relegated. He made his division two debut in a game against Hércules CF on 6 June 2009, scoring in a 1–2 local derby home loss.[1]

Castilla / Mestalla

López signed for Real Madrid Castilla in the summer of 2009, with Real Madrid's reserves in the third division. He finished his first year with ten goals – second-best in the squad – as the team finished eighth in the league.

In January 2011, Cristian signed for Valencia CF's B-team in the fourth level, in a season-long loan.[2] He scored in double digits as the Che reserves returned to the third tier at the first attempt, and the move was made permanent in the summer.[3] He added a further 11 goals the following campaign, including all of his team's goals on 13 May 2012 as they won 4–2 at UE Sant Andreu.[4]

Cristian spent 2012–13 still in division three, with CD Atlético Baleares.[5] He ranked top scorer for the Palma de Majorca-based side, scoring twice on 31 March 2013 in a 3–0 home win over city rivals RCD Mallorca B.[6]

Huddersfield

On 24 July 2013, trialist Cristian played for Huddersfield Town against Real Betis, in a 2–4 friendly loss at the John Smith's Stadium, and he scored in the next pre-season match with Oldham Athletic (2–3 defeat). The following week he signed a one-year deal with the Terriers, taking the number 19 shirt vacated by Alan Lee.[7]

Cristian made his Football League Championship on 3 August 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 0–1 defeat at Nottingham Forest – in the process, he became the club's first ever Spanish player in its 105-year history.[8][9][10] On 10 October, however, he joined Football League One side Shrewsbury Town on a month's loan, becoming the first Spaniard to sign for the club.[11] He scored his first goal for the team and in English football on the 22nd, in a 1–1 draw against Colchester United at the New Meadow,[12][13] but returned to Huddersfield on 5 November following an injury crisis to its attacking sector.[14]

On 14 March 2014, López moved to League Two's Northampton Town, on loan for the rest of the season.[15] He was released by Huddersfield in May.[16]

Burgos / CFR Cluj

On 17 July 2014, Cristian joined Burgos CF in the third tier,[17] eventually helping his team to a mid-table finish. He received a straight red card on 11 October 2014 in a goalless draw at CD Guijuelo, for a 15th-minute high challenge on Juli Ferrer.[18]

Cristian moved abroad for the second time in June 2015, signing with Romanian Liga I team CFR Cluj.[19] He made his top flight debut on 11 July, replacing Guima for the final 20 minutes of a 2–2 draw at FC Viitorul Constanța in the opening game of the season. A month later, he scored his first goal for the Feroviarii, the game's only at the Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu against FC Petrolul Ploiești, four minutes after coming on for Leo Beleck.[20]

On 31 August 2015, Cristian recorded a hat-trick in a 3–1 home win over FC Botoșani.[21] The following 17 May, in the final of the Cupa României, he came on at half-time for Tomislav Gomelt and headed a last-minute equaliser as CFR came from behind to draw 2–2 against FC Dinamo București before winning in a penalty shootout.[22]

Lens

Cristian switched countries again on 31 August 2016, when he joined Ligue 2 club RC Lens on a one-year deal with the option for a second.[23] He made his debut nine days later, replacing Kévin Fortuné for the final ten minutes of a 1–1 home draw with FC Bourg-Pérronas, and scored his first goal on 20 September in a 4–2 win over US Orléans also at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.[24] The team finished in fourth, one point off promotion, and he was joint-third amongst scorers with 16 goals.[25]

Cristian scored eight times in the first half of the 2017–18 season. He then embarked on a drought which lasted until the final two fixtures against Tours FC and AJ Auxerre,[26][27] and fans petitioned for him to be given a new contract.[28]

Angers

On 31 August 2018, the last day of the 2018 summer transfer window, free agent Cristian signed a one-year contract with Angers SCO.[29] His maiden appearance in Ligue 1 took place on 6 October, when he played the last eight minutes of a 2–2 home draw to RC Strasbourg Alsace.[30] He scored his first goal late in same month, but in a 1–2 loss against Olympique Lyonnais.[31]

Hatta / Las Palmas

On 19 August 2019, Cristian agreed to a one-year deal at UAE Pro-League's Hatta Club.[32] The following 1 March, he signed with Spanish second division team UD Las Palmas for the rest of the season with the option of one more.[33]

Club statistics
As of match played 4 August 2018
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Alicante 2007–08[34] Segunda División B 5000——50
2008–09[34] Segunda División 3200——32
Total 8200——82
Real Madrid B 2009–10[34] Segunda División B 3310———3310
2010–11[34] Segunda División B 110———110
Total 4410———4410
Valencia B (loan) 2011–12[34] Segunda División B 3111———3111
Atlético Baleares 2012–13[34] Segunda División B 35900——359
Huddersfield Town 2013–14[35] Championship 2020——40
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2013–14[35] League One 5100——51
Northampton Town (loan) 2013–14[35] League Two 3000——30
Burgos 2014–15[35] Segunda División B 361300——3613
CFR Cluj 2015–16[35] Liga I 38123121—4314
2016–17[35] Liga I 6400101084
Total 44163231105118
Lens 2016–17[36] Ligue 2 30162100—3217
2017–18[35] Ligue 2 33106622—4118
Total 63268722007335
Career total 27188138531029099

Honours

Valencia B

CFR Cluj

References
  1. Penadés, José Manuel (7 June 2009). "El Hércules sigue con vida (1–2)" [Hércules still alive (1–2)]. La Verdad (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  2. Bosch, Carlos (28 January 2011). "El Valencia ficha a Cristian, delantero del Castilla" [Valencia sign Cristian, Castilla forward]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  3. "Cristian sigue los pasos de Canales" [Cristian in the footsteps of Canales] (in Spanish). Defensa Central. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  4. "UE Sant Andreu 2 – València CF Mestalla 4" (in Catalan). UE Sant Andreu. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  5. "Presentación oficial de José Picón, Cristian López y Roque Mesa por el Atco. Baleares" [Official presentation of José Picón, Cristian López and Roque Mesa by Atco. Baleares] (in Spanish). Fútbol Balear. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  6. "Final: Atco Baleares – Mallorca B (3–0)" [End: Atco Baleares – Mallorca B (3–0)] (in Spanish). Mallorca Esports. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  7. "Huddersfield Town sign striker Cristian Lopez". BBC Sport. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  8. "Huddersfield Town sign striker Cristian Lopez". BBC Sport. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. "Nottingham Forest 1–0 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  10. Thomson, Doug (10 October 2013). "Huddersfield Town striker Cristian Lopez joins Shrewsbury on loan". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  11. "Cristian Lopez: Shrewsbury Town sign Huddersfield striker on loan". BBC Sport. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  12. "Shrewsbury Town 1–1 Colchester United". BBC Sport. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  13. Hoyle, Jack (28 October 2013). "Cristian nets first goal". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  14. "Shrewsbury Town after new striker as Cristian Lopez returns to Huddersfield". Shropshire Star. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  15. "Cristian Lopez joins Northampton Town". Northampton Town F.C. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  16. "Huddersfield Town captain Peter Clarke among eight released". BBC Sport. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  17. "El Burgos CF cierra el fichaje del delantero alicantino Cristian López" [Burgos CF seal the signing of Alicante-born forward Cristian López]. Diario de Burgos (in Spanish). 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  18. Romero, Román (13 October 2014). "El Burgos CF recurrirá la expulsión de Cristian López frente al Guijuelo" [Burgos CF will appeal the expulsion of Cristian López against Guijuelo]. Diario de Burgos (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  19. "Atacantul spaniol de la Burgos este ultima achiziţie a celor de la CFR Cluj! Ardelenii negociază şi cu un vârf din Italia!" [Spanish forward from Burgos is CFR Cluj's latest acquisition! Transylvanians also in negotiations with an Italian giant!] (in Romanian). Stiride Sport. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  20. Măcicășan, Vlad (12 August 2015). ""Arcaşul" CFR-ului, Cristian Lopez, îşi explică gestul de după golul cu Petrolul. Fost la Real Madrid, spaniolul promite să fie golgheter: "Voi marca multe goluri"" [CFR's "archer", Cristian López, explains his gesture after goal against Petrolul. Formerly of Real Madrid, the Spaniard promises to be top scorer: "I will score many goals"]. ProSport (in Romanian). Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  21. "Cristian Lopez a marcat de trei ori cu FC Botoşani. Primul hat-trick al sezonului în Liga 1" [Cristian López scored three against FC Botoşani. First hat-trick of the Liga I season] (in Romanian). Digi Sport. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  22. "Ekeng's Dinamo Bucharest lose Romanian Cup final". BBC Sport. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  23. "Officiel: Cristian Lopez nouvel attaquant lensois!" [Official: Cristian López new Lens forward!] (in French). RC Lens. 31 August 2016. Archived from the original on 3 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  24. "John Bostock, un homme dans le match" [John Bostock, a man in the match] (in French). Lensois. 20 September 2016. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  25. Koné, Youssouf (24 June 2017). "[Troyes] – 44 ans que le club n'avait pas connu un attaquant comme Niane" [[Troyes] – 44 years that the club did not know a striker like Niane] (in French). Foot Mali. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  26. Noé, Sébastien (29 April 2018). "Ligue 2: Cristian Lopez, c'est quoi le problème?" [Ligue 2: Cristian López, what's the problem?]. La Voix du Nord (in French). Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  27. "Et de 10 en Ligue 2 pour Cristian Lopez avec le RC Lens" [And 10 in Ligue 2 for Cristian López with RC Lens] (in French). Made in Lens. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  28. "Foot – RC Lens: Des supporters lancent une pétition pour voir Cristian Lopez rester à Lens" [Football – RC Lens: Supporters launch a petition to see Cristian López stay at Lens]. La Voix du Nord (in French). 12 May 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  29. "Ligue 1. Angers Sco officialise l'arrivée de Cristian Lopez" [Ligue 1. Angers Sco make arrival of Cristian Lopez official]. Ouest-France (in French). 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  30. Steines, Geoffrey (6 October 2018). "L1 (J9): Angers revient de loin contre Strasbourg" [L1 (R9): Angers come from afar against Strasbourg] (in French). Football 365. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  31. "Ligue 1: Revivez la douloureuse victoire de Lyon sur le terrain d'Angers" [Ligue 1: Relive Lyon's painful win at Angers] (in French). France Télévisions. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  32. "الإسباني لوبيز رابع أجانب حتا" [Spaniard López the fourth Hatta foreigner]. Al Bayan (in Arabic). 19 August 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  33. Pérez Benítez, Juan (1 March 2020). "Las Palmas ficha a Cristian López" [Las Palmas sign Cristian López] (in Spanish). Canarias 7. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  34. "Cristian: Cristian López Santamaría". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  35. "Cristian López". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  36. "Cristian LOPEZ" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
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