Fernando Niño (footballer, born 1974) explained

Fernando Niño
Fullname:Fernando Niño Bejarano[1]
Birth Date:16 September 1974
Birth Place:Rota, Spain
Height:1.85 m
Position:Centre-back
Years1:1993–1996
Years2:1996–1998
Caps2:69
Goals2:5
Years3:1998–2005
Caps3:149
Goals3:2
Years4:2006–2009
Caps4:79
Goals4:5
Totalcaps:297
Totalgoals:12

Fernando Niño Bejarano (born 16 September 1974) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Niño was born in Rota, Andalusia. After beginning professionally with lowly hometown side CD Rota, he moved to neighbouring Xerez CD for the 1996–97 season, achieving promotion to the Segunda División in his first year but being immediately relegated.

However, Niño's individual performances caught the attention of RCD Mallorca in La Liga and, however mainly registered with the Balearic Islands club's reserves, he finished his first year with 21 first-team appearances.

Subsequently, Niño became an undisputed starter, partnering Spain international Miguel Ángel Nadal for six full seasons.[2] [3] On 29 January 2003, he was one of three players on target for the hosts in a 4–0 home win against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey (5–1 on aggregate),[4] which ended in conquest.[5]

In January 2006, after a serious injury had cut his 2004–05 campaign short, Niño left the team and joined second-tier Elche CF. His physical problems were recurrent in 2008–09, as he was forced to miss 18 league games.[6] He retired from football with immediate effect at the season's end, aged almost 35, amassing professional totals of 264 matches and nine goals.[7] [8]

Personal life

Niño's son, also named Fernando, is also a footballer.[9]

Honours

Mallorca

2002–03[5]

1998

Notes and References

  1. News: Fernando NIÑO Bejarano. El Mundo. Spanish. 3 April 2020.
  2. Web site: Deportivo prepare for Mallorca visit. Special Broadcasting Service. 5 February 2003. 3 November 2017.
  3. News: Los equipos que la Liga echa de menos (V): el Mallorca. Teams the League is missing (V): Mallorca. Diario AS. José. Izquierdo. Spanish. 25 April 2017. 3 November 2017.
  4. News: El Mallorca aparta a los 'pavones' de la Copa del Rey. Mallorca oust the 'pavones' (reference to Real Madrid player Francisco Pavón) from the King's Cup. El Mundo. Fernando. Llamas. Spanish. 29 January 2003. 3 April 2020.
  5. News: Eto'o pone Mallorca a brindar. Eto'o has Mallorca toasting. El País. José. Miguelez. Spanish. 29 June 2003. 5 April 2016.
  6. News: Las lesiones hacen que Niño medite su retirada. Injuries have Niño brooding over retirement. Diario AS. C.. Padilla. Spanish. 29 December 2008. 3 November 2017.
  7. News: Fernando Niño confirma que 'cuelga las botas'. Fernando Niño confirms he is 'hanging up boots'. Marca. Spanish. 15 June 2009. 3 November 2017.
  8. News: Elustondo da la última victoria a los 'txuri urdin'. Elustondo gives last win to the txuri urdin. Marca. Spanish. 20 June 2009. 3 November 2017.
  9. News: La semana mágica de Niño. Niño's magical week. Marca. Victor. Franch. Spanish. 25 January 2020. 26 January 2020.
  10. News: El Mallorca pierde con orgullo. Mallorca lose proudly. El País. Santiago. Segurola. Spanish. 20 May 1999. 28 January 2016.