Yordi Explained

Yordi
Fullname:Jorge González Díaz
Birth Date:14 September 1974
Birth Place:San Fernando, Spain
Height:1.85 m
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Sevilla
Years1:1993–1996
Years2:1996
Years3:1996–1997
Years4:1997
Years5:1997–2004
Years6:2002
Years7:2004–2005
Years8:2005–2006
Years9:2006–2008
Years10:2008–2009
Clubs1:Sevilla B
Clubs2:Sevilla
Clubs3:Atlético Madrid B
Clubs4:Atlético Madrid
Clubs5:Zaragoza
Clubs6:Blackburn Rovers (loan)
Clubs7:Getafe
Clubs8:Mallorca
Clubs9:Xerez
Clubs10:Córdoba
Caps1:69
Caps2:6
Caps3:34
Caps4:1
Caps5:164
Caps6:8
Caps7:27
Caps8:16
Caps9:66
Caps10:27
Totalcaps:418
Goals1:31
Goals2:1
Goals3:19
Goals4:0
Goals5:45
Goals6:2
Goals7:2
Goals8:4
Goals9:22
Goals10:5
Totalgoals:131

Jorge González Díaz (born 14 September 1974), known as Yordi, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

A journeyman, he amassed La Liga totals of 180 games and 37 goals during ten seasons, in representation of five teams (notably Zaragoza), and 161 matches and 61 goals in Segunda División.

In 2002, Yordi had a six-month spell in England with Blackburn Rovers.

Career

Born in San Fernando, Cádiz, Andalusia, Yordi started his professional career with Sevilla FC, moving in 1996 to Atlético Madrid. He spent the vast majority of his only season with the Colchoneros with the B-team, winning the Pichichi Trophy award in Segunda División and being called up two the main squad only twice, once for the UEFA Champions League; on 23 June 1997, he played 30 minutes in a 3–0 home loss against CD Tenerife, in the last matchday.[1]

In the summer of 1997, Yordi signed with Real Zaragoza where he stayed for seven seasons, one in the second level, being a very important attacking contributor although almost always off the bench: in 2000–01, for instance, as the Aragonese side won the Copa del Rey,[2] he only started in ten of 31 La Liga matches, scoring four times for a final 17th position – barely out of the relegation zone.[3]

In February 2002, Zaragoza loaned Yordi to Blackburn Rovers.[4] During his time at Ewood Park, he came on as a substitute as his team won the 2002 Football League Cup[5] and also netted twice in the Premier League, against Southampton[6] and Middlesbrough.[7] Subsequently, he returned to his country and represented Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca, appearing sparingly for the latter club (both in the top level).

32-year-old Yordi slightly revived his career with Xerez CD, in division two. After a poor first season, he was the competition's top scorer in 2007–08, netting 20 goals as the Andalusians barely avoided relegation while also adopting Jorge as his shirt name.[8]

On 19 July 2008, Yordi left Xerez and signed for another side in the region, Córdoba CF (also in the second tier),[9] retiring at the end of the campaign at the age of 34.

Honours

Zaragoza

2000–01,[2] 2003–04[10]

Blackburn Rovers

2001–02[5]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. News: Traca final en Madrid. It ended with a bang in Madrid. Mundo Deportivo. Miguel Ángel. Muñoz. es. 24 June 1997. 11 June 2014.
  2. News: Zaragoza, no hay quinta Copa mala. Zaragoza, no such thing as a bad fifth Cup. ABC. Enrique. Ortego. es. 1 July 2001. 11 June 2014.
  3. Web site: Yo jugué en el Real Zaragoza: Jorge González Díaz, "Yordigol". I played for Real Zaragoza: Jorge González Díaz, "Yordigoal". Vavel. Jorge. Urriza Arpal. es. 13 December 2017. 22 August 2018.
  4. Web site: Yordi joins Blackburn. BBC Sport. 20 February 2002. 27 April 2011.
  5. Web site: Cole strike stuns Spurs. BBC Sport. 24 February 2002. 26 December 2016.
  6. Web site: Blackburn secure vital win. BBC Sport. 1 April 2002. 27 August 2009.
  7. Web site: Blackburn blow Boro away. BBC Sport. 20 April 2002. 27 August 2009.
  8. News: Yordi, del Xerez, máximo goleador con 20 tantos. Yordi, of Xerez, top scorer with 20 goals. Diario Sur. es. 15 June 2008. 22 August 2018.
  9. Web site: Mercado: El Córdoba ficha a Yordi. Market: Córdoba sign Yordi. Goal. es. 19 July 2008. 4 September 2015.
  10. Web site: Galletti gives Zaragoza glory. UEFA. Andy. Hall. 18 March 2004. 8 July 2014.