Diego Castro

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:Family name hatnote Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox football biography Diego Castro Giménez (Script error: No such module "IPA".; born 2 July 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left winger.

He amassed La Liga totals of 226 games and 43 goals over eight seasons, mainly representing Getafe (four years) and Sporting de Gijón (three). In 2015 he transferred to Perth Glory, going on to spend six years with them in the A-League.

Career

Málaga and Sporting

Castro was born in Pontevedra, Galicia. After starting out professionally with local Pontevedra CF (third division) he moved to Málaga CF, but spent almost three seasons mainly registered with the Andalusians' reserves; in December 2005, he appeared in two consecutive home losses for the main squad, against CA Osasuna (2–1)[1] and Real Madrid (2–0).[2]

After both Málaga teams dropped down a level in 2006, Castro moved to Sporting de Gijón in division two, being an essential first-team element from the start (20 league goals in his first three seasons combined – with the Asturians achieving La Liga promotion in his third – six of them in 2008–09, as the club narrowly avoided relegation).

In the following campaign, Castro was arguably Sporting's most important player as he topped their scoring charts at ten, four of those coming through penalties.[3] Sporting again managed to stay in the top division.

Castro again led Sporting de Gijón in goals scored in 2010–11, netting one goal less. On 13 March 2011, after Nacho Novo won a penalty kick in the last-minute of an away fixture against Villarreal CF, he converted it in Panenka-style for a final 1–1 draw – the visiting team was then reduced to only nine players.[4]

Getafe

Shortly after the season ended, Castro confirmed his departure from Sporting as a free agent,[5] signing shortly after for Getafe CF.[6] On 3 June 2015, after four years as first choice, he left the latter after his contract expired.[7]

Perth Glory

On 6 August 2015, aged 33, Castro moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining A-League club Perth Glory FC as their foreign marquee player.[8] He scored his first goal for his new team on 25 October, contributing to a 3–1 home win against Adelaide United FC.[9] He enjoyed a successful debut season, earning selection for the PFA Team of the Year[10] and winning the Alex Tobin award as well as the Johnny Warren Medal.[11]

On 7 June 2016, Castro extended his stay with Perth Glory, agreeing to a deal believed to be worth approximately $500,000.[12] Before the start of the 2018–19 season, he was named team captain.[13]

Castro agreed to a two-year extension on 23 April 2019.[14] On 14 October 2021, it was confirmed that the 39-year-old would be leaving due to restrictions on visa players and the incoming signing of Daniel Sturridge.[15][16] A statement from CEO Tony Pignata on the club's official website spoke fondly of the former player, saying:

"Diego has been one of the best players Australian football has ever seen, and undoubtedly Glory’s greatest overseas recruit of all time.

"His place in the pantheon of Glory greats is well and truly assured and on behalf of our Members and fans, I would like to sincerely thank him for the massive contribution he has made over the past six years.

"We have been fortunate to have had the pleasure of watching a player of his quality and he will always remain a cherished and much-loved member of the Glory family.

"We would like to take this opportunity to wish Diego and his family all the very best for the future."

Personal life

Castro's father, Fernando Castro Santos, also had a career intimately connected with football. He coached several teams in the first and second divisions from 1992 (notably SD Compostela), also working in Portugal.[17]

Besides his native language, Castro is also able to speak English, describing it as that he had fully learned the language while in Australia as part of the challenge of playing abroad.[18]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Pontevedra 2001–02[19] Segunda División B 21 2 0 0 3Template:Efn 0 24 2
2002–03[19] Segunda División B 33 9 2 0 5Template:Efn 3 40 12
Total 54 11 2 0 8 3 64 14
Málaga B 2003–04[19] Segunda División 24 0 — — 24 0
2004–05[19] Segunda División 33 1 — — 33 1
2005–06[19] Segunda División 33 1 — — 33 1
Total 90 2 — — 90 2
Málaga 2005–06[19] La Liga 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
Sporting Gijón 2006–07[19] Segunda División 38 7 0 0 — 38 7
2007–08[19] Segunda División 37 7 1 0 — 38 7
2008–09[19] La Liga 32 6 2 0 — 34 6
2009–10[19] La Liga 35 10 0 0 — 35 10
2010–11[19] La Liga 28 9 1 0 — 29 9
Total 170 39 4 0 — 174 39
Getafe 2011–12[19] La Liga 31 7 0 0 — 31 7
2012–13[19] La Liga 34 7 3 0 — 37 7
2013–14[19] La Liga 32 1 3 0 — 35 1
2014–15[19] La Liga 32 3 4 1 — 36 4
Total 129 18 10 1 — 139 19
Perth Glory 2015–16[20] A-League 26 13 3 0 — 29 13
2016–17[20] A-League 27 13 0 0 — 27 13
2017–18[20] A-League 22 7 0 0 — 22 7
2018–19[20] A-League 22 9 1 0 — 23 9
2019–20[20] A-League 18 4 1 0 2 0 21 4
2020–21[20] A-League 21 3 0 0 3 0 24 3
Total 136 49 5 0 5 0 149 49
Career total 581 119 21 1 13 3 615 123

Template:Notelist

Honours

Perth Glory

Individual

References

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External links

Template:Sporting de Gijón Player of the Season Template:Perth Glory FC Player of the Year Template:Johnny Warren Medal Template:2015–16 A-League PFA Team of the Season Template:2016–17 A-League PFA Team of the Season Template:2018–19 A-League PFA Team of the Season

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