Aarón Ñíguez Explained

Aarón Ñíguez
Fullname:Aarón Ñíguez Esclápez[1]
Birth Date:26 April 1989
Birth Place:Elche, Spain
Height:1.70NaN0
Position:Winger
Youthclubs1:Caja de Elche
Youthyears2:2000–2006
Youthclubs2:Valencia
Years1:2006–2007
Caps1:29
Goals1:4
Years2:2006–2011
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2007
Clubs3:Xerez (loan)
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2008
Clubs4:Iraklis (loan)
Caps4:12
Goals4:3
Years5:2008–2009
Clubs5:Rangers (loan)
Caps5:3
Goals5:0
Years6:2009–2010
Clubs6:Celta (loan)
Caps6:11
Goals6:0
Years7:2010–2011
Clubs7:Recreativo (loan)
Caps7:28
Goals7:5
Years8:2011–2013
Caps8:47
Goals8:4
Years9:2013–2015
Caps9:59
Goals9:1
Years10:2015–2016
Caps10:12
Goals10:0
Years11:2016–2017
Caps11:36
Goals11:4
Years12:2017–2018
Caps12:44
Goals12:5
Years13:2018–2019
Caps13:3
Goals13:0
Years14:2020
Caps14:0
Goals14:0
Years15:2021
Caps15:0
Goals15:0
Years16:2021–2022
Caps16:17
Goals16:2
Totalcaps:309
Totalgoals:28
Nationalyears1:2004–2005
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2005–2006
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:6
Nationalyears3:2006–2008
Nationalcaps3:23
Nationalgoals3:8
Nationalyears4:2009
Nationalcaps4:11
Nationalgoals4:7
Nationalyears5:2008–2009
Nationalcaps5:4
Nationalgoals5:1

Aarón Ñíguez Esclápez (born 26 April 1989) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a winger.

A Valencia youth graduate, he was capped by Spain at various youth levels, and competed mainly in Segunda División during his career, also having brief abroad spells in Greece, Scotland, Portugal and Malaysia.

Club career

Early career

Born in Elche, Alicante, Valencian Community, Ñíguez was a product of Valencia CF's youth system. He made his first-team debut on 5 December 2006 against A.S. Roma in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, starting and playing 27 minutes in the 1–0 away loss,[2] and spent his first professional year with the reserves in the Segunda División B, featuring regularly but suffering relegation.

After starting the 2007–08 season on loan with Segunda División side Xerez CD, Ñíguez switched in the January transfer window to Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. from Greece. He scored his first goal for the team on 16 March 2008, through a penalty kick in a 1–0 win over Panionios F.C. after his acrobatic bicycle kick was blocked by an opponent's hand.

Rangers

Ñíguez signed a two-year loan contract with Scottish Premier League club Rangers on 13 August 2008, with an option to buy.[3] He made his official debut in the 7–1 defeat of Hamilton Academical on 6 December, coming on as a second-half substitute and immediately creating a goal for compatriot Nacho Novo.[4] He scored his first competitive goal for his new team in a Scottish Cup tie against Third Division side Forfar Athletic, and was booked for removing his shirt in celebration.[5] His second also came in the domestic cup, against Hamilton from the penalty spot, in what was his first start.[6]

On 7 June 2009, it was announced that the two-year loan would be terminated, and Ñíguez returned to Valencia late in the month.[7]

Return to Spain

On 30 August 2009, still on loan from Valencia, Ñíguez joined RC Celta de Vigo of division two, playing less than one third of the matches during the campaign due to a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury.[8] For 2010–11, also on loan, he moved to another club in that tier, Recreativo de Huelva.[9]

In July 2011, Ñíguez cut ties with Valencia and signed a five-year deal with another side in the second division, UD Almería.[10] On 7 January 2013, just hours after being released by the Andalusians, he joined another team in the same league, Elche CF, until June 2017.[11] He appeared in 16 games for the latter, which were promoted to La Liga after a 25-year absence.[12]

Ñíguez made his debut in the Spanish top flight on 19 August 2013, starting and being booked in a 3–0 away loss against Rayo Vallecano.[13] On 31 October he scored his first goal in the competition, in a 2–2 draw at Athletic Bilbao.[14]

On 12 August 2015, Ñíguez left Elche.[15]

Braga

Ñíguez moved to a third foreign league in late August 2015, signing for S.C. Braga of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.[16] After only 15 appearances in all competitions, he left the club.

Tenerife and Oviedo

On 30 August 2016, Ñíguez signed a one-year contract with CD Tenerife, returning to Spain and its second tier.[17] The following 3 July, he agreed to a two-year deal with Real Oviedo of the same league.[18]

A regular starter with the latter, Ñíguez lost his starting spot after the arrival of Yoel Bárcenas,[19] and terminated his link on 18 November 2018.[20]

Johor Darul Ta'zim

On 19 November 2018, Ñíguez joined Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. on a five-year contract.[21] On 21 February 2019, however, he was released and replaced by Leandro Velázquez.[22]

Málaga and Elche return

Ñíguez returned to the Spanish second division on 4 March 2020, signing with Málaga CF until 30 June.[23] On 1 September, after Elche achieved promotion to the top flight, he rejoined the club after activating a clause in his previous contract.[24]

International career

Ñíguez played in the 2006 UEFA European Championship for the Spain under-17 team, finishing as the fourth top scorer in the tournament with three goals. He was also a key member of the under-19 side that won the following year's European Championship, beating Greece in the final.[25] [26]

On 18 November 2008, Ñíguez made his debut for the under-21s, in a 4–1 friendly loss to Portugal.[27]

Personal life

Ñíguez came from a football family: his father, José Antonio, played several years with Elche – including the 1984–85 season in La Liga – as a striker.

His older brother Jonathan (another midfielder) was also developed at Valencia, spending the vast majority of his senior career in the lower leagues. The youngest, Saúl, was brought up at Atlético Madrid.[28] [29] [30]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valencia B2006–07Segunda División B29410304
Valencia2006–07La Liga00201030
Xerez (loan)2007–08Segunda División8030110
Iraklis (loan)2007–08Super League Greece12300123
Rangers (loan)2008–09Premier League302252
Celta (loan)2009–10Segunda División11020130
Recreativo (loan)2010–11Segunda División28500285
Almería2011–12Segunda División30330333
2012–1317131202
Total47461000000535
Elche2012–13Segunda División16000160
2013–14La Liga22110231
2014–1521020220
Total59130000000621
Braga2015–16Primeira Liga1202010150
Tenerife2016–17Segunda División3641030404
Oviedo2017–18Segunda División35500355
2018–199010100
Total44510000000455
Johor Darul Ta'zim2019Malaysia Super League300030
Málaga2019–20Segunda División000000
La Nucía2020–21Segunda División B001010
Career total2922623310104032129

Honours

Braga

2015–16

Johor Darul Takzim

2019

Spain U19

2007[31]

Spain U20

2009[32]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009: List of Players: Spain. FIFA. 17. 6 October 2009. 9 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20091013164551/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/10/28/62/fwyc_2009_squadlists.pdf. 13 October 2009.
  2. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/205523?cc=5739 Roma 1–0 Valencia: Panucci sends Roma through
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7559740.stm Rangers complete Níguez transfer
  4. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7766278.stm Rangers 7–1 Hamilton Accies
  5. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7895077.stm Forfar 0–4 Rangers
  6. News: Rangers 5–1 Hamilton: Accies' misfortune smoothes path for Rangers. The Scotsman. 8 March 2009. 19 May 2017.
  7. News: Debt problems result in Valencia recalling Rangers loan star Aaron Niguez. Sunday Mail. Scott. Mcdermott. 7 June 2009. 8 June 2009. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20090611221824/http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/spl/glasgow-rangers-fc/2009/06/07/debt-problems-result-in-valencia-recalling-rangers-loan-star-aaron-niguez-78057-21421934/. 11 June 2009.
  8. News: Seis meses sin Aarón. Six months without Aarón. Atlántico Diario. es. 31 May 2009. 26 November 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110723021301/http://www.atlantico.net/noticia.php?id=91344%3Fvisita%3D1. 23 July 2011.
  9. News: Aarón Ñíguez se marcha al Recreativo de Huelva. Aarón Ñíguez goes on loan to Recreativo de Huelva. Super Deporte. es. 16 August 2010. 21 January 2019.
  10. News: El Almería ficha a Aarón Ñíguez. Almería sign Aarón Ñíguez. Marca. es. 12 July 2011. 14 September 2022.
  11. http://www.marca.com/2013/01/07/futbol/equipos/elche/1357592422.html Aaron Ñíguez ficha por el Elche hasta junio de 2017 (Aaron Ñíguez signs for Elche until June 2017)
  12. News: El Elche vuelve a la elite 25 años después. Elche return to the elite 25 years later. Mundo Deportivo. es. 11 August 2013. 21 January 2019.
  13. http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2013_14/primera/jornada_1/ray_elc/ El Rayo levanta la mano (Rayo raise hand)
  14. http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2013_14/primera/jornada_11/ath_elc/ El Elche escapa de las fauces del león (Elche escape from the lion's mouth)
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234934/http://www.elchecf.es/-/aaron-se-desvincula-del-elche-cf Aarón se desvincula del Elche C.F. (Aarón cuts ties with Elche C.F.)
  16. Web site: Oficial: Aarón Níguez no Sp. Braga. Official: Aarón Ñíguez to Sp. Braga. Mais Futebol. pt. 31 August 2015. 15 March 2016.
  17. Web site: Aarón Ñíguez, nuevo refuerzo del CD Tenerife. Aarón Ñíguez, new addition of CD Tenerife. CD Tenerife. es. 30 August 2016. 1 September 2016.
  18. Web site: Aarón Ñíguez, nuevo jugador del Real Oviedo. Aarón Ñíguez, new player of Real Oviedo. Real Oviedo. es. 3 July 2017. 9 July 2017.
  19. News: La hora de Aarón Ñíguez. Aarón Ñíguez's time. Marca. Chisco. García. es. 11 October 2018. 21 January 2019.
  20. Web site: Rescisión de contrato de Aarón Ñíguez. Termination of Aarón Ñíguez's contract. Real Oviedo. es. 18 November 2018. 19 November 2018.
  21. Web site: Atletico star Saul Niguez’s brother Aaron joins Johor Darul Ta'zim. Fox Sports. 19 November 2018. 19 November 2018.
  22. Web site: Johor Darul Ta'zim release Aaron Niguez; Leandro Velazquez expected to return. Fox Sports. 21 February 2019. 21 February 2019.
  23. News: Aarón Ñíguez ficha por el Málaga hasta final de curso. Aarón Ñíguez signs for Málaga until the end of the campaign. Marca. es. 4 March 2020. 27 March 2020.
  24. Web site: El regreso de Aarón Ñiguez. The return of Aarón Ñiguez. Diario Franjiverde. Noe. Gomis. es. 1 September 2020. 4 September 2020.
  25. https://archive.today/20131119192633/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under19/history/season=2007/round=15067/match=300910/index.html Spain prevail in Pasching shoot-out
  26. https://archive.today/20131119192633/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/under19/history/season=2007/round=15068/match=300911/index.html Parejo the hero as Spain reign again
  27. http://www.uefa.com/under21/news/newsid=775935.html Portugal plunder Iberian bragging rights
  28. Web site: Los Ñiguez, familia de futbolistas. The Ñiguezes, footballing family. Colgados por el Fútbol. Koldo. Sandoval. es. 8 December 2013. 13 January 2014.
  29. News: Saúl, Aarón y Jony, los hermanos Ñíguez marcan un 'triplete' histórico. Saúl, Aarón and Jony, the Ñíguez brothers score historic 'triple'. La Información. Víctor. Gil. es. 18 December 2016. 19 May 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220192258/http://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/futbol/Saul-Aaron-Jony-hermanos-Niguez-gol_0_982102333.html. 20 December 2016.
  30. News: Los hermanos Ñíguez, unidos y luchando contra la esclerosis. The Ñíguez brothers, united and fighting against sclerosis. Diario AS. Amalia. Fra. es. 21 December 2016. 19 May 2017.
  31. News: España conserva su trono europeo. Spain renew their European supremacy. El Mundo. es. 27 July 2007. 29 April 2019.
  32. http://www.pescara2009.it/results/pdf/FB/FB_C73_FB040060100001ENG.pdf ITA – ESP 1:2 (0:0)