Introduction
Víctor Manuel Fernández Gutiérrez (born 17 April 1974), known simply as Víctor, is a Spanish retired footballer. Usually a striker, he could also be put to use behind a sole attacker.
Over the course of 18 seasons, he appeared in 561 games both major levels of Spanish football combined, scoring 167 goals (342/93 in La Liga). He played nine years with Valladolid (two spells), and four with Villarreal.
Club career
Víctor was born in Mérida, Extremadura. A product of CD Leganés' youth system, he made his senior debuts with Real Madrid Castilla, and first appeared in La Liga with CD Tenerife, having little success in a one-and-a-half season stint. Towards the end of the second year he played with CD Toledo, in the second division.
In 1996–97, Víctor joined Real Valladolid, scoring 16 top flight goals in his debut campaign to help the club rank seventh, then spent another four years with Villarreal CF, where he was also a regular fixture (with 28 successful strikes in his first two seasons combined).
In July 2004, Víctor was deemed surplus to requirements at Villarreal and rejoined Valladolid, teaming up with centre forward Joseba Llorente for three years and netting nine goals to help the side retain their top division status in 2008.
In July 2009, after having once again helped the Castile and León team avoid relegation – 29 games, five goals, 1,956 minutes – Víctor, aged 35, was not offered a new contract and left. The following week he penned a deal with FC Cartagena, freshly promoted to the second level.
Víctor scored nine league goals for the Murcian side in his first season, improving to 12 in the following as they consecutively managed to stay afloat. In July 2011, the 37-year-old returned to first club Leganés who competed in division three, penning a one-year deal.
International career
Víctor played one match for Spain, coming on for Luis Enrique in a 0–0 friendly draw with Croatia in Split, on 23 February 2000.
Honours
- UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2003, 2004