Fran (footballer, born 1995) explained

Fran
Fullname:Francisco José Rodríguez Gaitán
Birth Date:22 May 1995
Birth Place:Almuñécar, Spain
Position:Right back
Currentclub:Ceuta
Clubnumber:2
Youthyears1:2002–2007
Youthclubs1:Almuñécar 77
Youthyears2:2007–2008
Youthclubs2:Motril
Youthyears3:2008–2014
Youthclubs3:Real Madrid
Years1:2014–2015
Clubs1:Real Madrid C
Caps1:24
Goals1:4
Years2:2014–2016
Caps2:29
Goals2:3
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:Zaragoza
Caps3:20
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2019
Clubs4:Almería
Caps4:21
Goals4:0
Years5:2019–2020
Caps5:3
Goals5:0
Years6:2020–2022
Clubs6:Calahorra
Caps6:20
Goals6:1
Years7:2022
Clubs7:UD Logroñés
Caps7:13
Goals7:1
Years8:2023
Caps8:15
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:Ceuta
Caps9:20
Goals9:1
Nationalyears1:2011
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:10 April 2024

Francisco José Rodríguez Gaitán (born 22 May 1995), commonly known as Fran, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right back for Ceuta.

Club career

Born in Almuñécar, Granada, Andalusia, Fran joined Real Madrid's youth setup in 2008, aged 13, after spells at AD Almuñécar 77 and Motril CF. He was promoted to the former's C-team in 2014, but made his senior debut with the reserves in a 1–2 away loss against Atlético Madrid B on 24 August.[1]

Fran scored his first senior goal on 12 October 2014, netting the game's only in an away success of the C-side over Internacional de Madrid CF. He was definitely promoted to the B-team ahead of the 2015–16 campaign, and established himself as a regular starter for the side.[2]

On 11 July 2016 Fran signed a three-year contract with Segunda División side Real Zaragoza, as a free agent.[3] He made his professional debut on 27 August, coming on as a second-half substitute for goalscorer Manuel Lanzarote in a 3–3 away draw against CD Lugo.[4]

On 12 July 2017, Fran moved to fellow second division team UD Almería on a two-year deal.[5] In the following March, he suffered a knee injury which took him out of the entire 2018–19 campaign.[6]

Fran subsequently resumed his career in the third division, representing CF Rayo Majadahonda and CD Calahorra.[7]

Personal life

Fran's older brother Andy is also a footballer. A midfielder, he too was groomed at Real Madrid.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2–1: Castilla let the three points slip against Atlético B. Real Madrid. es. 24 August 2014. 17 October 2015.
  2. Web site: Real stars of tomorrow. Marca. 20 January 2016. 21 August 2016.
  3. Web site: El lateral Fran se incorpora a la plantilla del Real Zaragoza. Full back Fran joins the squad of Real Zaragoza. Real Zaragoza. es. 11 July 2016. 21 August 2016.
  4. Web site: Lugo y Zaragoza firman tablas en un partido loco. Lugo and Zaragoza draw in a crazy match. Marca. es. 27 August 2016. 27 August 2016.
  5. Web site: El Almería refuerza el lateral derecho con el fichaje de Fran Rodríguez. Almería bolster the right back with the signing of Fran Rodríguez. UD Almería. es. 12 July 2017. 13 July 2017.
  6. Web site: "Estoy volviendo a sentirme de nuevo futbolista". "I am starting to feel myself a footballer again". UD Almería. es. 13 February 2019. 5 July 2019.
  7. Web site: Fran Rodríguez, segundo fichaje del CD Calahorra para la temporada 2020/2021. Fran Rodríguez, second signing of CD Calahorra for the 2020/2021 season. CD Calahorra. es. 7 June 2020. 21 September 2020.
  8. Web site: Mou se lleva a Granada a Nacho, Pacheco y Andy. Mou takes Nacho, Pacheco and Andy to Granada. Marca. es. 5 May 2012. 21 September 2020.