Mandi (footballer) explained

Mandi
Fullname:Armando Sosa Peña[1]
Birth Date:1 March 1989[2]
Birth Place:Santa Lucía, Spain
Height:1.78 m
Position:Defensive midfielder
Currentclub:Lincoln Red Imps
Clubnumber:88
Youthyears1:2000–2003
Youthclubs1:San Fernando
Youthyears2:2003–2006
Youthclubs2:Maspalomas
Youthyears3:2006–2007
Youthclubs3:Vecindario
Years1:2007–2008
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2008–2010
Caps2:48
Goals2:4
Years3:2008
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2010
Clubs4:Ponferradina (loan)
Caps4:11
Goals4:1
Years5:2010–2012
Caps5:47
Goals5:2
Years6:2012–2015
Caps6:66
Goals6:2
Years7:2015–2017
Caps7:37
Goals7:0
Years8:2017–2018
Caps8:23
Goals8:0
Years9:2018–2019
Caps9:25
Goals9:2
Years10:2019–2020
Caps10:11
Goals10:0
Years11:2021–2022
Caps11:34
Goals11:2
Years12:2023–
Caps12:17
Goals12:3
Club-Update:17:14, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Armando Sosa Peña (born 1 March 1989), known as Mandi, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Gibraltar Football League club Lincoln Red Imps.

Club career

Born in Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Canary Islands, Mandi made his debut as a senior with UD Vecindario in 2007. In the summer of 2008 he moved to Villarreal CF, representing both its C and B teams.

On 2 February 2010, Mandi joined SD Ponferradina on loan until June.[3] With the Castile and León club he was promoted to Segunda División, being regularly used during his six-month spell.[4]

On 15 July 2010, after rejecting a new contract at Ponfe,[5] Mandi signed for Real Madrid Castilla also in the third division.[6] After again winning promotion to the second tier, he moved to Sporting de Gijón on 22 June 2012 after agreeing to a four-year deal.[7]

Mandi made his professional debut on 2 September 2012, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Racing de Santander.[8] He scored his first goal on 5 January of the following year, in a 1–1 draw at Recreativo de Huelva.[9]

On 31 August 2015, Mandi terminated his contract with Sporting[10] and signed for Elche CF just hours later.[11] On 8 July 2017, after suffering relegation with the latter, he agreed to a one-year deal at UD Almería.[12]

On 12 October 2018, Mandi signed with New Zealand club Wellington Phoenix FC.[13] He scored his first goal in the A-League on 24 November, with a long-range half-volley to open a 3–1 home loss against Adelaide United FC.[14]

Mandi joined Indian Super League franchise ATK on 16 December 2019, as a replacement for the injured Carl McHugh.[15] After contributing eight starts as they were crowned champions,[16] he returned to his country's division three with Unionistas de Salamanca CF.[17]

Honours

Real Madrid Castilla

2011–12[18]

ATK

2019–20[16]

Notes and References

  1. News: Mandi. Diario AS. es. 1 February 2022.
  2. Web site: Mandi. Eurosport. 2 February 2022.
  3. News: Mandi cierra la plantilla. Mandi completes the squad. Diario de León. Álex. Estébanez. es. 2 February 2010. 11 June 2015.
  4. News: El equipo blanquiazul se reecuentra con Mandi Sosa. White-and-blue team meet Mandi Sosa again. Diario de León. es. 19 April 2013. 1 February 2022.
  5. News: Mandi dice adiós a la Deportiva. Mandi says goodbye to Deportiva. Diario de León. Álex. Estébanez. es. 18 June 2010. 11 June 2015.
  6. Web site: Estos son los refuerzos del Castilla. These are the additions of Castilla. Defensa Central. Alberto. Piñero. es. 16 July 2010. 11 June 2015.
  7. News: El Sporting confirma el fichaje de Mandi. Sporting confirm the signing of Mandi. Marca. es. 22 June 2012. 11 June 2015.
  8. News: Sin noticias del gol. No goal news. Marca. Javier. Estepa. es. 2 September 2012. 11 June 2015.
  9. News: El Recre salva un punto ante un Sporting fallón. Recre rescue a point against miss-it-all Sporting. Marca. es. 5 January 2013. 11 June 2015.
  10. Web site: Mandi ha quedado desligado de la disciplina del Real Sporting. Mandi has cut ties with Real Sporting's organisation. Sporting Gijón. es. 31 August 2015. 31 August 2015.
  11. News: El Elche refuerza su medio campo con Mandi. Elche bolster midfield with Mandi. Mundo Deportivo. es. 31 August 2015. 31 August 2015.
  12. Web site: El Almería cierra el fichaje de Mandi para fortalecer el centro del campo. Almería complete the signing of Mandi to bolster midfield. UD Almería. es. 8 July 2017. 9 July 2017.
  13. Web site: Wellington Phoenix sign former Real Madrid B midfielder. Stuff.co.nz. Liam. Hyslop. 12 October 2018. 12 October 2018.
  14. Web site: Wellington Phoenix lose third straight as Adelaide United power to victory. Stuff.co.nz. Liam. Hyslop. 24 November 2018. 27 June 2019.
  15. Web site: ATK sign Spanish defensive midfielder Armando Sosa Peña [Mandi]]. The Away End. 16 December 2019. 8 January 2020.
  16. Web site: ISL: Champions ATK spent their money well and reaped the rewards. Goal. Nisanth V. Easwar. 16 March 2020. 1 February 2022.
  17. Web site: Unionistas ficha al mediocentro Armando Sosa “Mandi”. Unionistas sign central midfielder Armando Sosa "Mandi". Vavel. José Luis. Cotobal. es. 8 February 2021. 1 February 2022.
  18. News: El Real Madrid Castilla, campeón de Segunda B. Real Madrid Castilla, Segunda B champions. ABC. es. 9 June 2012. 23 August 2018.