Roberto Corbin | |
Birth Date: | 19 April 1953 |
Birth Place: | El Chorrillo, Panama |
Years1: | 1978–1979 |
Clubs1: | Atletico Panama |
Years2: | 1979–1981 |
Clubs2: | Etoile Espagnole |
Years3: | 1981–1984 |
Clubs3: | Urania Genève |
Years4: | 1985–1989 |
Clubs4: | Tauro |
Nationalteam1: | Panama U20 |
Roberto Corbin (born 19 April 1953) is a Panamanian former professional footballer who is known for being the first Panamanian player to play in Europe when he joined Swiss club Etoile Espagnole in 1979.[1] In April 2019, however, Panamanian newspaper La Prensa reported another Panamanian footballer, Federico Ponce, had played in Spain at amateur level a year earlier.[2]
Corbin worked for Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Corbin started his soccer career in Panama with Atletico Panama in 1978.[3] In October 1979 he moved to Switzerland by recommendation of Peruvian coach Luis Bidú.[2] After trialling with first-tier side CS Chênois for a week, he settled for Etoile Espagnole of the second-tier Swiss Challenge League where he stayed for two years.[2] He joined Urania Genève of the Third Division where he played until 1984.[2]
He returned to Panama in 1985 to play with Tauro in the opening championships of ANAPROF, where they were crowned on 1989.[3]
Corbin played for the Panama U20 national team participating in a national under-20 championship where he became lead striker with 29 goals in 1971.[3]