David López (footballer, born 1982)

David López Moreno (born 10 September 1982) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for CD Eldense as a midfielder.

Not to be confused with David López (footballer, born 1989).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is López and the second or maternal family name is Moreno.

David López
López playing with Athletic Bilbao in 2009
Personal information
Full name David López Moreno
Date of birth (1982-09-10) 10 September 1982
Place of birth Logroño, Spain
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Eldense
Youth career
2000–2001 Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Osasuna B 81 (7)
2004–2007 Osasuna 78 (11)
2007–2012 Athletic Bilbao 118 (12)
2012–2014 Brighton & Hove Albion 65 (12)
2014–2016 Lugo 67 (5)
2016–2017 Huesca 19 (0)
2017–2018 UCAM Murcia 14 (2)
2018–2019 Novelda 28 (3)
2019 Intercity 7 (0)
2019– Eldense 26 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 8 March 2020

He amassed La Liga totals of 196 matches and 23 goals over eight seasons, for Osasuna (three years) and Athletic Bilbao (five). He also spent two years in the English Championship, with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Club career

Osasuna

López was born in Logroño, La Rioja. A product of CA Osasuna's youth ranks, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 17 October 2004 in a 3–2 home win against Albacete Balompié, and finished his first season with 13 games and one goal, scored in his first appearance.[1]

The following campaign, López was an undisputed starter as the Navarrese side achieved a first ever qualification to the UEFA Champions League. The player contributed with six goals to this feat, including a crucial one in the last matchday, a 2–1 home success over Valencia CF.[2]

As Osasuna was "demoted" to the UEFA Cup, López appeared 11 in matches in the team's semi-finals run, netting in 3–0 away defeats of Parma FC (twice)[3] and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.[4]

Athletic Bilbao

In summer 2007, López signed with neighbours Athletic Bilbao for around €6 million.[5][6] His official debut was on 28 August in a 0–0 home draw against his former team, and he was automatic first-choice in his first two years, appearing in 61 league matches combined; in his second he helped the Basques narrowly avoid relegation, scoring at Recreativo de Huelva (1–1),[7] and at home against Sporting de Gijón (3–0)[8] and Racing de Santander (2–1, through a penalty).[9]

López netted six goals from 28 appearances in 2010–11 to match the highest seasonal total in his career, but he became a fringe player for the Lions after the arrival of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as club manager.[10] On 31 August 2012, his contract with Athletic was rescinded by mutual consent.[11]

Brighton & Hove Albion

Immediately after being released, López transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship, signing a one-year contract.[12] During his spell at the Falmer Stadium, he was nicknamed 'Spanish Dave'.[13]

Later years

After leaving England at the age of 32, López spent three full seasons in his country's Segunda División, first with CD Lugo[14] and then SD Huesca.[15] Subsequently, he took his game to the lower leagues.

Honours

Athletic Bilbao

References
  1. "Ajustada victoria de Osasuna ante el 'Alba' en El Sadar" [Narrow Osasuna win against 'Alba' at El Sadar]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 17 October 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  2. Osasuna 2–1 Valencia; ESPN Soccernet, 16 May 2006
  3. Osasuna complete Italian job; UEFA, 15 December 2006
  4. Ruthless Osasuna stun Leverkusen; UEFA, 6 April 2007
  5. David López has Athletic ambition; UEFA, 27 June 2007
  6. "El Athletic pagará seis millones a Osasuna por David López" [Athletic pay six million to Osasuna for David López]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 28 June 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  7. Recreativo Huelva 1–1 Athletic Bilbao; ESPN Soccernet, 25 September 2008
  8. Athletic Bilbao 3–0 Sporting Gijon; ESPN Soccernet, 14 December 2008
  9. Athletic Bilbao 2–1 Racing Santander; ESPN Soccernet, 26 April 2009
  10. González, Laura (27 August 2012). ""El único titular que tenía claro cuando vine era David López"" [«The only starter for me when I came was David López»]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  11. David Lopez’ contract terminated Archived 27 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine; Athletic Bilbao, 31 August 2012
  12. "Lopez joins Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  13. "Brighton 1, Burnley 0 – Spanish Dave strikes again". Daily Express. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  14. "O Lugo ficha a David López que procede do Brighton" [Lugo sign David López who comes from Brighton] (in Galician). Televisión de Galicia. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  15. "El Huesca ficha a David López hasta final de temporada" [Huesca sign David López until the end of the season]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 23 September 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
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