Javier López Vallejo

Javier López Vallejo (born 22 September 1975) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is López and the second or maternal family name is Vallejo.

Javier López Vallejo
Vallejo in action for Zaragoza (2009)
Personal information
Date of birth (1975-09-22) 22 September 1975
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Osasuna B 79 (0)
1994–1999 Osasuna 150 (0)
1999–2007 Villarreal 120 (0)
2006–2007 → Recreativo (loan) 30 (0)
2007–2010 Zaragoza 38 (0)
2010 Levadiakos 10 (0)
2010–2011 Kavala 3 (0)
Total 430 (0)
National team
1990–1992 Spain U16 17 (0)
1991 Spain U17 6 (0)
1991–1994 Spain U18 21 (0)
1995 Spain U19 2 (0)
1995 Spain U20 5 (0)
1993–1998 Spain U21 4 (0)
1997 Spain U23 2 (0)
2003-2005 Navarre 3 (0)
2006 Basque Country 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Born in Pamplona, López Vallejo began his career at hometown's CA Osasuna, making his first appearance for the main squad not yet 19 in a 3–0 home win over Sporting de Gijón on 15 May 1994, although the Navarrese had already been relegated from La Liga. He became an undisputed starter from the 1995–96 season onwards.

Vallejo signed for Villarreal CF in 1999 alongside teammate Jesús Unanua (also a goalkeeper), appearing in all the games during the 1999–2000 campaign as the club returned to the top flight after a one-year absence. He retained first-choice status the following two years.

With the signing of Pepe Reina in 2002 and the subsequent arrival of imports Sebastián Viera and Mariano Barbosa, however, López Vallejo was consecutively demoted to backup and third-choice. In order to search more playing opportunities he joined fellow league team Recreativo de Huelva on loan for the 2006–07 season, where he played the majority of the Andalusians' matches in that competition.

In 2007–08, Vallejo signed for Real Zaragoza on a free transfer, where he backed up former Real Madrid player César (two games played). As the latter moved to Tottenham Hotspur in August 2008 he became the starter, with the side now playing in the second division, and was instrumental as they immediately returned to the top level.

López Vallejo started the 2009–10 season on the bench, then became first-choice over Juan Pablo Carrizo. However, he lost his position in January 2010 with the arrival of new coach José Aurelio Gay and, during that month, was released by mutual consent; he immediately found a new team, joining Levadiakos F.C. in Greece alongside compatriot Enrique Sola, from former club Osasuna.

Honours

Club
Villarreal

Country
Spain U16
Spain U17
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