Joan Golobart

Joan Golobart Serra (born 12 January 1961) is a Spanish retired footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Golobart and the second or maternal family name is Serra.
Joan Golobart
Personal information
Full name Joan Golobart Serra
Date of birth (1961-01-12) 12 January 1961
Place of birth Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1978–1979 AE Sarrià
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1980 AE Sarrià
1980–1983 Hospitalet
1983–1985 Sabadell 65 (12)
1985–1990 Español 81 (5)
1985–1986 → Hospitalet (loan) 19 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Golobart did not start playing organized football until he was 17, making his senior debut for local CE L'Hospitalet in the fourth division. In 1985, after two seasons with neighbours CE Sabadell FC – helping to promotion to the second level in his first year and scoring five goals in 30 games in his second – he signed for another club in the region, RCD Español who he supported as a child.

During his five-season spell, Golobart was successfully reconverted from central defender into defensive midfielder,[1] but only had one solid campaign, in 1986–87 – 35 matches and four goals – as the Pericos finished third in La Liga and qualified for the UEFA Cup, reaching and losing the subsequent final to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Golobart scored a rare goal in the 1988–89 promotion/relegation playoffs against RCD Mallorca, but Español went down (1–2 on aggregate). After helping the team gain promotion back immediately (although he only appeared in eight matches), he did not have his contract renewed and chose to retire rather than represent another club than Español; he was only 29.[1]

Post-retirement

After retiring, Golobart worked in dentistry. Additionally, he became a respected sports analyst, writing newspaper columns for La Vanguardia.[2] He also unsuccessfully ran for Espanyol's presidency.[1]

Personal life

Golobart's son, Román, was also a footballer. He spent most of his career with Wigan Athletic, having been brought up at Espanyol.[3]

References
  1. Joan GOLOBART; Hall of Fame Perico, 15 May 2009 (in Spanish)
  2. Homage from Catalonia; The Guardian, 5 June 2005
  3. Amat-Golobart, pareja de centrales (Amat-Golobart, stopper duo); Marcadorint, 3 July 2013 (in Spanish)
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