Introduction
Iago Aspas Juncal (Galician pronunciation: [ˈjaɣo ˈaspas]; born 1 August 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Celta de Vigo as a striker.
He spent most of his career with Celta de Vigo, appearing in 193 official games over the course of seven seasons and scoring 68 goals. He made his La Liga debut with the club in 2012, and moved to Liverpool the following year.
After a loan at Sevilla, Aspas returned to Celta in 2015.
Club career
Celta
Aspas was born in Moaña, Pontevedra. Brought through the youth ranks of local club Celta de Vigo, he made his first-team debuts in the 2007–08 season with the side in Segunda División, then played his second game on 6 June 2009: brought on as a 59th-minute substitute against Deportivo Alavés he scored both of his team's goals in a 2–1 home win, being essential as it eventually escaped relegation. When he was 17 he was loaned to neighbouring Rápido de Bouzas, where he spent his penultimate year as a junior.
Aspas was definitely promoted from the reserves for 2009–10, going on to appear in several more campaigns in the second tier with the Galicians. In the 2011–12 season he netted a career-best 23 league goals, second-best in the competition behind UD Almería's Leonardo Ulloa as Celta returned to La Liga after a five-year absence. As a result of his performances, he was voted the best forward and Zarra Trophy winner for the category.
Aspas made his top flight debut on 18 August 2012, starting in a 0–1 home loss against Málaga CF. He scored his first goal in the competition the following month, contributing to a 2–0 win over CA Osasuna also at Balaídos, and added a further 11 during the campaign to help the side escape relegation in the final matchday.
On 15 March 2013, during the 1–3 Galician derby away loss to Deportivo de La Coruña, Aspas was sent off after half an hour for headbutting Carlos Marchena.
Liverpool
In May 2013, it was widely rumoured that a fee estimated between £7–9 million had been agreed for Aspas to join Liverpool, pending personal terms and a medical. On 13 June, both clubs agreed a deal in principle to sign the player subject to completion of documentation, but this was delayed when his former agent requested the Royal Spanish Football Federation withheld international clearance because of a dispute over his representation; the deal was finally completed on 23 June, and he was given the number 9 shirt.
Aspas made his Liverpool debut on 13 July 2013, scoring his first goal as well as assisting Raheem Sterling in a 4–0 pre-season friendly win against Preston North End. He made his Premier League debut on 17 August, providing an assist for Daniel Sturridge in a 1–0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield.
Aspas scored his first competitive goal for the Reds on 5 January 2014, in a 2–0 win over Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup. During his spell, he played second-fiddle to Philippe Coutinho, Sterling, Sturridge and Luis Suárez as the Reds went on to finish second; he also struggled with his limited knowledge of the English language.
Sevilla
On 14 July 2014, Aspas returned to his homeland, being loaned to Sevilla FC in a season-long move and with a permanent three-year deal as an subsequent obligatory option. He made his competitive debut on 12 August in the 2014 UEFA Super Cup at the Cardiff City Stadium, replacing fellow debutant Aleix Vidal after 66 minutes of an eventual 0–2 defeat to Real Madrid.
On 14 September 2014, Aspas appeared in the league for the first time, coming on for Carlos Bacca for the final seven minutes of a 2–0 home win against Getafe CF. His first goal for his new club came on 2 October, as he opened the score in a 2–2 draw at HNK Rijeka for the UEFA Europa League group stage; late in that month he played the full 90 minutes and grabbed a hat-trick against CE Sabadell FC, helping to a 6–1 away routing for the season's Copa del Rey, adding another treble within a four-minute spell in the second leg for a 5–1 win. He and FC Barcelona's Neymar were the tournament's top scorers with seven goals each.
Aspas' first league goal for Sevilla came on 1 February 2015, the winner in a 3–2 victory over RCD Espanyol. Earlier in the game, he had taken a shot which was handled by Kiko Casilla outside of the penalty area, resulting in the goalkeeper's dismissal.
Return to Celta
On 12 June 2015, Aspas returned to his first club Celta, signing a five-year contract six days later for a €5 million fee. On 23 September, he scored twice in a 4–1 home win over Barcelona.
International career
In December 2012 Aspas, along with Michu, was poised to be called up by manager Vicente del Bosque for a debut with the Spanish national team on 6 February 2013, in an exhibition game with Uruguay in Doha, Qatar. However, neither made the final squad for that match.
Aspas finally earned his first cap on 15 November 2016, under new coach Julen Lopetegui, replacing Juan Mata for the second half of the 2–2 friendly draw against England, being booked and scoring his side's first goal.
International goals
- Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 15 November 2016 | Wembley Stadium, London, England |  England | 1–2 | 2–2 | Friendly |
Personal life
Aspas' older brother, Jonathan, is also a footballer. He too came through Celta's youth system. Their cousin, Aitor, represented smaller teams in their native region.
Club statistics
- As of 19 January 2017
| Spain | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 2006–07 | Celta B | Segunda División B | 21 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 21 | 1 |
| 2007–08 | 32 | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 32 | 4 | ||
| 2008–09 | 31 | 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 31 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Celta | Segunda División | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| 2008–09 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | 36 | 5 | 7 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 43 | 6 | ||
| 2010–11 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 31 | 5 | ||
| 2011–12 | 35 | 23 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 38 | 25 | ||
| 2012–13 | La Liga | 34 | 12 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 37 | 12 | |
| Total | England | 223 | 57 | 14 | 4 | – | – | – | – | 237 | 61 | |
| 2013–14 | Liverpool | Premier League | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 15 | 1 |
| Total | Spain | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2014–15 | Sevilla | La Liga | 16 | 2 | 5 | 7 | – | – | 4 | 1 | 25 | 10 |
| 2015–16 | Celta | La Liga | 35 | 14 | 5 | 4 | – | – | – | – | 40 | 18 |
| 2016–17 | Celta | La Liga | 17 | 11 | 2 | 2 | – | - | 5 | 2 | 24 | 15 |
| Total | Spain | 68 | 27 | 12 | 13 | – | – | 10 | 3 | 89 | 43 | |
| Career Total | 304 | 82 | 26 | 18 | - | - | 10 | 3 | 341 | 105 | ||
Honours
Club
- Sevilla
- UEFA Europa League: 2014–15
Individual
- Zarra Trophy (Segunda División): 2011–12
- Best Forward (Segunda División): 2011–12
- La Liga Player of the Month: October 2016
- "Iago Aspas named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for October". LaLiga.es. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.