Marc Navarro Explained

Marc Navarro
Fullname:Marc Navarro Ceciliano[1]
Birth Date:2 July 1995[2]
Birth Place:Barcelona, Spain
Height:1.88 m
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Arka Gdynia
Clubnumber:2
Youthyears1:2001–2002
Youthclubs1:Badalona
Youthyears2:2002–2011
Youthclubs2:Barcelona
Youthyears3:2011–2014
Youthclubs3:Espanyol
Youthyears4:2013–2014
Youthclubs4:Damm (loan)
Years1:2014–2017
Caps1:44
Goals1:7
Years2:2017–2018
Caps2:31
Goals2:3
Years3:2018–2021
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Years4:2019–2020
Clubs4:Leganés (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2023
Caps5:31
Goals5:2
Years6:2024–
Caps6:8
Goals6:0
Club-Update:19:55, 2 June 2024 (UTC)

Marc Navarro Ceciliano (born 2 July 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Polish club Arka Gdynia. Mainly a right-back, he can also play as a central defender.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Navarro finished his youth career while on loan at CF Damm, after representing CF Badalona, FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. In July 2014, he was assigned to the latter's reserve team in the Segunda División B.[3]

Navarro made his senior debut on 2 November 2014, coming on as a second half substitute for Rober Correa in a 2–1 away loss against Elche CF Ilicitano.[4] His first goal came on 5 September 2015, when he closed the 3–2 home win over FC Barcelona B.[5]

On 22 December 2015, Navarro signed a one-year extension with the club, with his new contract running until June 2017.[6] The following 4 January, however, he suffered a severe knee injury, being sidelined for six months.[7]

Navarro made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 21 January 2017, starting and scoring the last goal in a 3–1 home victory against Granada CF[8] and becoming the first youth graduate to achieve the feat since Raúl Tamudo in 1997.[9] Eight days later, in his second appearance, he netted his team's second in a 3–1 defeat of Sevilla FC also at the RCDE Stadium.[10]

On 30 January 2017, Navarro extended his contract until 2021, being definitely promoted to the first team the following campaign.[11]

Watford

On 15 June 2018, Navarro joined Watford on a five-year deal for €2 million.[12] [13] His maiden Premier League appearance took place on 29 September, when he played 84 minutes in the 2–0 loss at Arsenal.[14]

After only five competitive appearances in his first season,[15] Navarro returned to Spain and its top tier after agreeing to a one-year loan at CD Leganés on 24 July 2019.[16] He left Watford by mutual consent in August 2021.[17]

El Paso Locomotive

On 3 November 2022, Navarro signed for USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive FC.[18] One year later, having made the league's Team of the Week on two occasions, it was announced that he would not be returning for 2024.[19]

Arka Gdynia

On 29 March 2024, Navarro joined Arka Gdynia of the Polish I liga until the end of the season, with an option for another twelve months.[20] He made his debut on 21 April, starting a 2–0 home victory over Wisła Płock.[21] Navarro's contract was extended for a further year on 22 May.[22]

Personal life

Navarro was a childhood friend of compatriot Héctor Bellerín, who also played in England with Arsenal. The former commented that both used to play football together in the garden of his grandmother's house.[23]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2014–15Segunda División B130130
2015–16Segunda División B174174
2016–17Segunda División B143143
Total447447
2015–16La Liga000000
2016–17La Liga12200122
2017–18La Liga19150241
Total3135036!3
2018–19Premier League20102050
2019–20Premier League00000000
2020–21Championship60101080
Total80203013!0
Leganés (loan)2019–20La Liga402060
Total4020006!0
El Paso Locomotive2023USLC31200312
Arka Gdynia2023–24I liga602080
Career total1261290302013812

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acta del partido celebrado el 20 de mayo de 2018, en Bilbao. Minutes of the match held on 20 May 2018, in Bilbao. Royal Spanish Football Federation. es. 20 May 2018. 20 June 2019.
  2. Web site: Marc Navarro. Eurosport. 9 January 2021.
  3. Web site: El Espanyol tira de la cantera. Espanyol go shopping in the youth setup. La Segunda B. Pedro. Tovar. es. 10 July 2014. 21 January 2017.
  4. Web site: El Ilicitano vence al Espanyol B con trabajo y buen fútbol (2–1). Ilicitano defeat Espanyol B with hard word and good football (2–1). Tele Elx. es. 2 November 2014. 21 January 2017.
  5. News: 3–2: El Espanyol B lleva de cabeza al Barça B. 3–2: Espanyol B get into Barça B's head. Mundo Deportivo. Javier. Gascón. es. 6 September 2015. 21 January 2017.
  6. Web site: Marc Navarro renueva una temporada. Marc Navarro renews for one season. RCD Espanyol. es. 22 December 2015. 21 January 2017.
  7. Web site: Grave lesión de Marc Navarro. Serious injury of Marc Navarro. RCD Espanyol. es. 4 January 2016. 21 January 2017.
  8. News: 'Pericos' que vuelan. 'Budgies' that fly. Marca. José Ignacio. Pérez. es. 21 January 2017. 21 January 2017.
  9. News: El Espanyol se ahorrará fichar a un lateral con Marc Navarro. Espanyol will save the signing of a full-back with Marc Navarro. Sport. Lluís. Miguelsanz. es. 21 January 2017. 21 January 2017.
  10. News: El Espanyol tiene nuevo ídolo: Fantástico Marc Navarro. Espanyol have a new idol: Fantastic Marc Navarro. Marca. es. 29 January 2017. 29 January 2018.
  11. News: El Espanyol renueva a Marc Navarro hasta 2021. Espanyol renew Marc Navarro until 2021. Diario AS. Iván. Molero. es. 30 January 2017. 15 August 2017.
  12. Web site: Marc Navarro, al Watford. Marc Navarro, to Watford. RCD Espanyol. ca. 15 June 2018. 15 June 2018.
  13. Web site: Official: Navarro joins Hornets. Watford F.C.. 15 June 2018. 15 June 2018.
  14. Web site: Arsenal 2–0 Watford. BBC Sport. Saj. Chowdhury. 29 September 2018. 2 October 2018.
  15. Web site: Watford defender Marc Navarro set for Leganes. Football España. Colin. Millar. 8 July 2019. 10 August 2019.
  16. Web site: C.D. Leganés closes right fullback position with the arrival of Marc Navarro. CD Leganés. 24 July 2019. 25 July 2019.
  17. News: Marc Navarro leaves Watford by mutual consent. Watford Observer. Ryan. Gray. 31 August 2021. 4 December 2021.
  18. Web site: La Liga and English Premier League defender Marc Navarro joins El Paso Locomotive FC ahead of 2023 season. El Paso Locomotive FC. Taylor. Hines. 3 November 2022. 3 November 2022.
  19. Web site: El Paso Locomotive FC’s Erik McCue and Marc Navarro depart ahead of 2024 season. El Paso Locomotive FC. Alberto. Huichapa. 1 November 2023. 2 November 2023.
  20. Web site: Marc Navarro nowym zawodnikiem Arki Gdynia. Marc Navarro is a new Arka Gdynia player. Arka Gdynia. pl. 29 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  21. Web site: Arka Gdynia – Wisła Płock 2:0. Kartki i kontuzje nie przeszkodziły. Arka Gdynia – Wisła Płock 2:0. Bookings and injuries could not stop us. Trojmiasto. Jacek. Główczyński. pl. 21 April 2024. 23 April 2024.
  22. Web site: Marc Navarro 2025 . Arka Gdynia . 22 May 2024 . pl . 22 May 2024.
  23. News: De enfrentarse en el jardín de su abuela a hacerlo en la Premier League. From facing each other in his grandmother's garden to doing so in the Premier League. Mundo Deportivo. es. 1 October 2018. 7 January 2019.