Willy Ledesma Explained

Willy
Full Name:Luis Alfonso Ledesma Gallán
Birth Date:23 January 1989
Birth Place:Torremejía, Spain
Height:1.85 m
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Lugo
Clubnumber:7
Youthclubs1:CF Extremadura
Youthyears2:2008
Youthclubs2:Rayo Vallecano
Years1:2006–2008
Clubs1:CF Extremadura
Caps1:4
Goals1:0
Years2:2008–2009
Clubs2:Rayo Vallecano B
Years3:2009–2011
Clubs3:Betis C
Caps3:78
Goals3:24
Years4:2010
Clubs4:Betis B
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2011–2013
Caps5:69
Goals5:15
Years6:2013–2014
Clubs6:Arroyo
Caps6:15
Goals6:1
Years7:2014–2020
Caps7:171
Goals7:73
Years8:2020–2023
Clubs8:Córdoba
Caps8:91
Goals8:35
Years9:2023–
Clubs9:Lugo
Caps9:27
Goals9:8
Club-Update:5 April 2024

Luis Alfonso Ledesma Galán (born 23 January 1989), commonly known as Willy, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for CD Lugo.

Club career

Willy was born in Torremejía, Badajoz, Extremadura, and made his senior debut with CF Extremadura on 22 October 2006 at the age of just 17, starting in a 1–0 Segunda División B away win against CD Alcalá. In January 2008 he moved to Rayo Vallecano, initially returning to youth football.[1]

After playing for Rayo's B-team Willy joined Real Betis, representing the latter's C and B-teams. On 5 August 2011, he signed for CF Villanovense in the third division, after impressing on a trial basis.[2]

On 22 June 2013, Willy agreed to a contract with Arroyo CP, still in the third division.[3] Roughly one year later he signed for Extremadura UD in Tercera División,[4] scoring a career-best 29 goals during the 2015–16 campaign as his side achieved promotion to the third division.

Willy subsequently became team captain, and contributed with nine goals in 33 appearances (play-offs included) in 2017–18, as his side achieved a first-ever promotion to Segunda División. On 19 August 2018, aged 29, he made his professional debut by coming on as a second-half substitute for Samu Manchón in a 1–1 away draw against Real Oviedo.[5]

Willy scored his first professional goal on 3 November 2018, netting his team's second in a 2–4 loss at Córdoba CF.[6] On 21 January 2020, he cut ties with the Azulgranas,[7] and signed a 18-month contract with Córdoba CF in the third division two days later.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El Rayo tiene casi atado a Willy, del Extremadura. Rayo almost have an agreement with Willy, from Extremadura. Diario AS. es. 9 January 2008. 14 June 2018.
  2. Web site: Willy se queda en el Villanovense. Willy stays at Villanovense. Hoy. es. 5 August 2011. 14 June 2018.
  3. Web site: El Arroyo se refuerza con Willy (Villanovense) y Ezequiel (Linense). Arroyo bolster with Willy (Villanovense) and Ezequiel (Linense). El Periódico de Extremadura. es. 22 June 2013. 14 June 2018.
  4. Web site: Willy Ledesma regresa al Francisco de la Hera. Willy Ledesma returns to Francisco de la Hera. Hoy. es. 20 June 2014. 14 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Álex Barrera saca oro del Tartiere para el Extremadura. Álex Barrera takes gold from the Tartiere for Extremadura. Marca. es. 19 August 2018. 19 August 2018.
  6. Web site: El Córdoba es sólo para creyentes. Córdoba is only for believers. Marca. es. 3 November 2018. 16 August 2019.
  7. Web site: ¡Gracias, capitán!. Thank you, captain!. Extremadura UD. es. 21 January 2020. 19 February 2020.
  8. Web site: Willy, nuevo jugador del Córdoba CF. Willy, new player of Córdoba CF. Córdoba CF. es. 23 January 2020. 19 February 2020.