David Navarro (footballer)

David Navarro

Personal information
Full name	David Navarro Pedrós
Date of birth	25 May 1980 (1980-05-25)
Place of birth	Sagunto, Spain
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Centre back
Youth career
1997–1999	Valencia
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2003	Valencia B
2002–2011	Valencia	97	(7)
2007–2009	→ Mallorca (loan)	48	(1)
2011–2012	Neuchâtel Xamax	13	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 Manuary 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

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

David Navarro Pedrós (Spanish pronunciation: [daˈβið naˈβaro]; born 25 May 1980) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central defender.

Club career

Born in Sagunto, Camp de Morvedre, Valencia, Navarro was a product of local giants Valencia CF's youth ranks. During the course of six seasons, he appeared sporadically for the 2002 and 2004 league champions. In addition, he added a rare goal (in the 90th minute) on 26 February 2004, in a UEFA Cup triumph over Beşiktaş JK (3–2 home success), as the Che eventually emerged victorious.

On 6 March 2007, Navarro sparked an on-pitch melee that occurred during a UEFA Champions League tie against F.C. Internazionale Milano. Navarro, who had spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute, ran onto the pitch as the brawl began with an exchange of words and what appeared to be a kick by fellow defender Carlos Marchena at Inter counterpart Nicolás Burdisso. On the pitch, Navarro punched Burdisso in the face, breaking the Argentine's nose, while he was being held back by his teammates, then proceeded to run away, chased by Inter players Julio Cruz, Iván Córdoba and Maicon, all the way to the tunnel.

As the scuffles continued on the field, Navarro sought refuge in the Valencia dressing room. Inter goalkeeper Francesco Toldo entered the Valencia dressing room to confront Navarro, while Inter players Luís Figo and Esteban Cambiasso argued with the security personnel that tried to prevent them from entering the Valencia dressing room too.

On 7 March 2007, UEFA charged Marchena and Navarro, as well as Burdisso, Córdoba and Maicon, with "gross unsporting conduct." Navarro later apologised for his involvement in the incident, stating he was "very sorry and ashamed" for his actions and also noted he would contact Burdisso to apologize.

On 14 March, after reviewing video evidence of the brawl, UEFA suspended Navarro for seven months from European football (it was later reduced to six months). After several appeals to FIFA to allow the ban to cover both domestic and international games, on the 20th, Navarro had his ban applied to all games, ending with 2006–07's closure.

In 2007–08, Navarro spent one year-long loan at RCD Mallorca, where he was used as a backup, appearing in 18 matches and returning to Valencia in July 2008, to be immediately loaned again to the Balearic Islands side, until the end of the following campaign, where he now featured prominently (29 matches, scoring in a 2–3 home loss to Recreativo de Huelva on 7 December 2008).

Navarro subsequently returned to Valencia for 2009–10, going on to serve as club captain, replacing longtime incumbent David Albelda. During the season, he contributed with two goals in 19 games (all starts) as the team finished third and qualified to the Champions League.

In the 2011 summer, aged 31, Navarro had his first abroad experience, joining compatriots Javier Arizmendi, Joaquín Caparrós (coach) and Víctor Sánchez at Neuchâtel Xamax, and penning a 2+1 contract with the Swiss club. He was released in the following transfer window, however.

External links

• Valencia official profile (Spanish)
• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• Futbolme profile (Spanish)