Arnau Riera

Arnau Riera

Personal information
Full name	Arnau Caldentey Riera
Date of birth	1 October 1981 (1981-10-01)
Place of birth	Manacor, Spain
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Atlético Baleares
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2001	Mallorca
1999	→ Mataró (loan)
2001–2006	Barcelona B	143	(5)
2006–2009	Sunderland	1	(0)
2006–2007	→ Southend United (loan)	2	(0)
2007–2008	→ Falkirk (loan)	19	(1)
2008–2009	→ Falkirk (loan)	17	(0)
2009–	Atlético Baleares	?	(?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 December 2008. † Appearances (Goals).

Arnau Caldentey Riera ( /ˈɑrnaʊ/; born 1 October 1981) is a Spanish footballer who plays for CD Atlético Baleares as a midfielder.

Early career

Riera was born in Manacor, Mallorca. He played for Real Mallorca's youth team aged 18 and played for Balearic Island selection U17 when they were champions of Spain. Aged 18, he moved to Mataro (on loan from Mallorca) in Spain's Second Division B. A year later he moved to FC Barcelona B where he was an ever present in the side which won the league in 2001. He stayed with Barca 'B' until 2006 and trained with first team in Peralada in 2004. He was Lionel Messi's captain for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.

Senior career

Riera made substitute appearances for the Barcelona first team in 2004–05. He also played with the first team in friendlies against Marseille 04/05, China 03/04, Shaktar Donetsk 03/04.

On 10 August 2006 Riera signed for Sunderland, and made his debut in the 3-1 defeat to Southend United at Roots Hall on 19 August 2006. He played well in his debut game, but was sent off just three minutes into the following match, a Carling Cup match against Bury which Sunderland lost 2–0 at Gigg Lane. And although signed to Sunderland for three more years, he never played for them again.

Whilst signed to Sunderland, Riera joined Southend United on a month's loan, the team against which he made his Sunderland debut. He also joined Scottish Premier League side Falkirk on a season-long loan, on 17 July 2007. He joined Blackpool for a week's trial in July 2008, which he left prematurely. Riera eventually rejoined Falkirk on another season-long loan.

He was finally released by Sunderland on 28 May 2009.

External links

• Arnau Riera career stats at Soccerbase