Curro Torres

Curro Torres

Personal information
Full name	Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz
Date of birth	December 27, 1976 (1976-12-27)
Place of birth	Ahlen, West Germany
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Right back
Club information
Current club	Free agent
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1995–1997	Gramenet	53	(5)
1997–1999	Valencia B
1999–2009	Valencia	117	(1)
1999–2000	→ Recreativo (loan)	37	(1)
2000–2001	→ Tenerife (loan)	39	(2)
2007–2008	→ Murcia (loan)	2	(0)
2009–2011	Gimnàstic	0	(0)
National team
2001–2002	Spain	5	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 January 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Torres and the second or maternal family name is Ruiz.

Cristóbal Emilio Torres Ruiz, aka Curro Torres (born 27 December 1976 in Ahlen, North Rhine-Westphalia), is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right defender.

In his professional career, whose later years were blighted by several injuries, he represented mainly Valencia CF, helping the team to two La Liga championships (playing in a total of 119 games in that category over the course of eight seasons, scoring once) and the 2004 UEFA Cup.

Torres represented Spain at the 2002 World Cup.

Early years

Torres was born in Ahlen, West Germany. His parents hailed from Granada, and emigrated for working purposes.

When their son was still an infant, they moved back to Spain, settling in Catalonia.

Club career

Torres began his career with UDA Gramenet before joining Valencia CF in 1997–98. He was a regular with the B team for two seasons, before he was loaned out to Recreativo de Huelva and CD Tenerife in the next two years. In the latter, alongside Mista and Luis García, he was a key member of the Canary Islands outfit, coached by Rafael Benítez, that won promotion to the top flight.

Torres then returned to Valencia, where he proceeded to become a key member in the teams that won the national league twice and the 2003–04 UEFA Cup (again under Benítez). From early 2005 onwards, however, he would be severely hindered by injuries, although he appeared in 17 contests in 2006–07, mainly as a left-back due to Emiliano Moretti's forced absence.

In 2007–08, Torres was loaned to league newcomers Real Murcia, where his physical problems resurfaced (two league appearances). Upon Murcia's relegation, he returned to Valencia, being restricted to two UEFA Cup contests during the season, with even midfielder Hedwiges Maduro being preferred as Miguel's backup. He left Valencia at the end of the campaign.

On July 27, 2009, Torres moved to Gimnàstic de Tarragona in the second division, playing no minutes whatsoever in the season (league or cup), as Nàstic finished in 18th position. In January of the following year, after the loan acquisitions of Borja Viguera and Álex Bergantiños by the club, the 34-year old's contract was cancelled.

International career

Courtesy of solid performances whilst at Valencia, Torres made his debut for Spain on 14 November 2001, in a friendly match in Huelva with Mexico (1–0 win), and was a member of 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, where he appeared against South Africa in the group stage.

Honours

• Valencia:
  • Spanish League: 2001–02, 2003–04
  • UEFA Cup: 2003–04
  • UEFA Super Cup: 2004

External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)