Nacho (footballer, born 1980) explained

Nacho
Fullname:Ignacio Pérez Santamaría
Birth Date:24 June 1980
Birth Place:Málaga, Spain
Position:Left-back
Youthclubs1:Málaga
Years1:1999–2004
Caps1:112
Goals1:17
Years2:2002–2006
Caps2:36
Goals2:3
Years3:2004–2005
Clubs3:Levante (loan)
Caps3:27
Goals3:4
Years4:2006–2009
Caps4:40
Goals4:4
Years5:2008
Clubs5:Real Sociedad (loan)
Caps5:16
Goals5:1
Years6:2008–2009
Clubs6:Málaga (loan)
Caps6:34
Goals6:1
Years7:2009–2014
Caps7:150
Goals7:1
Totalcaps:415
Totalgoals:31

Ignacio Pérez Santamaría (born 24 June 1980), known as Nacho, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played mainly as a left-back (he could also operate as a left midfielder).

He appeared in 220 La Liga games over nine seasons, totalling 13 goals for Málaga (two spells), Levante, Getafe and Betis. He added 124 matches and three goals in the Segunda División.

Club career

A product of Málaga CF's youth system, Nacho was born in Málaga, and he made his first-team debut on 23 February 2003 in a 1–1 La Liga home draw against RC Celta de Vigo.[1] He went on to play four seasons with the Andalusians, with a loan to Levante UD in the same league in between.

In July 2006, upon Málaga's top-division relegation, Nacho signed with Madrid's Getafe CF. Scarcely used during his second season, he would be loaned in January 2008 to Real Sociedad as the Basques ultimately failed to return from Segunda División, with the player appearing in 16 matches – 13 as a starter.

Nacho was loaned again for the 2008–09 campaign, rejoining former side Málaga.[2] Mainly used as a substitute, he scored his first goal in his second spell in a 3–1 away win over Real Valladolid on 22 February 2009,[3] helping them to finish eighth immediately after promoting.

On 28 August 2009, Nacho moved to Real Betis of the second tier on a three-year contract.[4] For most of his stint he was used as an attacking left-back,[5] and played 34 games in his second year as the Verdiblancos returned to the top division after two years.[6]

Personal life

Nacho's father and uncle, respectively, José Ignacio and Juan Carlos, also played for Málaga. His brother Perico appeared for the club's reserves.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: El Celta paga su falta de ambición ante el Málaga. Celta pay for lack of ambition against Málaga. El País. Diego. Narváez. es. 24 February 2003. 17 July 2016.
  2. News: El Málaga obtiene la cesión de Nacho Pérez. Málaga get loan of Nacho Pérez. La Opinión de Málaga. J.. Criado. Isabel. López. es. 10 July 2008. 5 November 2020.
  3. Web site: Valladolid 1–3 Málaga. https://archive.today/20130102211306/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252917?cc=5739. dead. 2 January 2013. ESPN Soccernet. 22 February 2009. 8 July 2012.
  4. Web site: Nacho ya es nuevo futbolista del Real Betis. Nacho is already a new Betis player. Real Betis. es. 28 August 2009. 29 August 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090901184404/http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/noticias/comunicados.html?id=6006. 1 September 2009.
  5. Web site: El lateral izquierdo, el único puesto sin sustituto. Left-back, the only position without a backup. Al Final de La Palmera. Ramón. Román. es. 20 May 2012. 12 December 2012.
  6. News: Nacho, el secundario más necesario para el ascenso. Nacho, most-needed sidekick for promotion. Diario de Sevilla. S.. Silva. es. 4 May 2011. 5 November 2020.
  7. Web site: Nacho, contra su familia. Nacho, against his family. Al Final de La Palmera. es. 29 September 2012. 12 December 2012.