Iago Aspas Juncal is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC on loan from Liverpool
as a forward.
He spent most of his career with Celta de Vigo, appearing in 153 official games over
the course of six seasons and scoring 50 goals.
He made his La Liga debut with the club in 2012, and moved to Liverpool the following
year.
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 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 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.
He scored his first goal in the competition the following month, contributing to a 2–0
win over Osasuna also at Balaídos, and added a further 11 during the campaign to help Celta
escape relegation in the final matchday.
Liverpool In May 2013, it was widely rumoured that a
fee estimated between £7–9 million had been agreed for Aspas to join Premier League
club Liverpool, pending personal terms and a medical.
On 13 June both teams 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.
On 13 July, Aspas made his Liverpool debut, 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 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.
In 14 league games in his first season, he did not score.
On 14 July 2014 he returned to his homeland, being loaned to Sevilla in a season-long move
and with a permanent three-year deal as a subsequent option.
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 a friendly with Uruguay in Doha, Qatar.
However, neither made the final squad for that match.
Honours Individual
Zarra Trophy: 2011–12 Best Forward: 2011–12
Club statistics As of 28 April 2014
Personal Aspas' older brother, Jonathan, is also a
footballer.
He too came through Celta's youth system.
References
External links BDFutbol profile
Futbolme profile Celta de Vigo biography
Liverpool historic profile Soccerway profile