Borja Sainz Explained

Borja Sainz
Fullname:Borja Sainz Eguskiza
Birth Date:1 February 2001
Birth Place:Leioa, Spain
Height:1.78m
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Norwich City
Clubnumber:7
Youthclubs1:Lagun Artea
Youthyears2:2012–2017
Youthclubs2:Athletic Bilbao
Youthyears3:2017–2018
Youthclubs3:Alavés
Years1:2018–2020
Clubs1:Alavés B
Caps1:24
Goals1:6
Years2:2019–2022
Clubs2:Alavés
Caps2:40
Goals2:2
Years3:2021–2022
Clubs3:Zaragoza (loan)
Caps3:32
Goals3:3
Years4:2022–2023
Clubs4:Giresunspor
Caps4:32
Goals4:9
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Norwich City
Caps5:35
Goals5:7
Nationalyears1:2019–2020
Nationalteam1:Spain U19
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:3
Club-Update:14:19, 21 August 2024 (UTC)

Borja Sainz Eguskiza (born 1 February 2001) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for club Norwich City.

Club career

Born in Leioa, Biscay, Basque Country, Sainz joined Athletic Bilbao's Lezama in 2012, from lowly locals AD Lagun Artea. In August 2017, he signed for Deportivo Alavés after refusing a contract renewal from the Lions.[1]

On 2 September 2018, Sainz made his senior debut with the reserves at the age of just 17, playing the last three minutes in a 3–0 Tercera División home win against SD San Pedro. He scored his first senior goal on 7 October in a 2–0 home defeat of SD Beasain,[2] and finished the campaign with five goals in 18 appearances.

Sainz made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 25 August 2019, coming on as a second-half substitute for Luis Rioja in a 0–0 home draw against RCD Espanyol;[3] by doing so, he became the first player of the 21st century to appear for the senior side.[4] He scored his first goal in the category on 18 June of the following year, netting the opener in a 2–0 home defeat of Real Sociedad.

On 5 August 2021, Sainz was loaned to Segunda División side Real Zaragoza for the season.[5] On 28 July of the following year, he moved abroad for the first time in his career after signing for Giresunspor in Turkey.[6]

On 30 June 2023, Sainz signed for Championship club Norwich City on a three-year contract following his departure from Giresunspor.[7] [8] Sainz scored on his debut for Norwich in an EFL Cup tie against Fulham on 27 September 2023.[9] Sainz also scored for Norwich in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool on 28 January 2024.[10]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Alavés B2018–19Tercera División1854[11] 0225
2019–20Segunda División B6161
Total2460040286
Alavés2019–20La Liga19110201
2020–21La Liga21130241
Total4024000442
Real Zaragoza2021–22Segunda División32330353
Giresunspor2022–23Süper Lig329213410
Norwich2023-24Championship3163111358
Career total15926122114017629

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El Alavés arrebata otro canterano al Athletic. Alavés take another youth prospect from Athletic. El Correo. es. 1 August 2017. 29 August 2019.
  2. Web site: El filial vuelve a sonreír. The reserves smile again. Noticias de Álava. es. 8 October 2018. 29 August 2019. 29 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190829142830/https://www.noticiasdealava.eus/2018/10/08/deportes/otros-deportes/el-filial-vuelve-a-sonreir. dead.
  3. Web site: Diego López evita en el descuento la victoria del Alavés. Diego López prevents the victory of Alavés in the stoppage time. Diario AS. es. 25 August 2019. 29 August 2019.
  4. Web site: Borja Sainz, un juvenil en Primera. Borja Sainz, a youngster in Primera. Marca. es. 25 August 2019. 29 August 2019.
  5. Web site: Borja Sainz jugará cedido en el Real Zaragoza. Borja Sainz will play on loan at Real Zaragoza. Deportivo Alavés. es. 5 August 2021. 6 August 2021.
  6. Web site: Borja Sainz, primera salida del Deportivo Alavés. Borja Sainz, first departure of Deportivo Alavés. Deportivo Alavés. es. 28 July 2022. 30 July 2022.
  7. Web site: Sainz signs for City. www.canaries.co.uk. 30 June 2023. 30 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Canaries clinch signing of Spanish winger Sainz. www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. News: Fulham 2-1 Norwich. BBC. 27 September 2023. 14 December 2023.
  10. News: Entertaining victory clinches Reds' place in FA Cup fifth round. BBC. 28 January 2024. 29 January 2024.
  11. Appearance(s) in the Promotion play-offs