Sebastián Saja
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Sebástian Saja | ||
| Date of birth | June 5, 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | La Plata, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Racing Club | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2008 | San Lorenzo | 145 | (6) |
| 2003 | → Brescia (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Rayo Vallecano (loan) | 20 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Club América (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Córdoba (loan) | 23 | (0) |
| 2007 | → Grêmio (loan) | 30 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | AEK Athens | 72 | (0) |
| 2011– | Racing Club | 19 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1997–1999 | Argentina U20 | 24 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Argentina | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 July 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Diego Sebastián Saja (born 5 June 1979 in La Plata, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda as a goalkeeper.
Contents |
[edit] Club career
[edit] San Lorenzo
Saja had 145 overall appearances for Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, being voted South America's best goalkeeper in 2002.[by whom?] The previous year, he helped the side win the 2001 Torneo Clausura, 2001 Copa Mercosur and 2002 Copa Sudamericana.
[edit] Out on loan
Saja split 2003–04 with Brescia Calcio and Rayo Vallecano, being first-choice and dropping down a level with the latter. Moving to another side in Spain and in the second division for the following season, he would also be relegated with Córdoba CF.
After a spell in Mexico with Club América, Saja returned to San Lorenzo making 34 appearances and scoring five goals, but was again sent out on loan, this time to Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, after falling out of favor with new manager Ramón Díaz.
[edit] AEK
Released in 2008, Saja signed a three-year contract with AEK Athens FC, earning approximately €400.000. He said to the media that this was a massive opportunity to play in Europe. However, the year he joined, the club was quickly eliminated from UEFA Cup contention.[1] On May 31, 2009, Saja signed a new three-year deal with AEK.[2]
[edit] Return to Argentina
On 29 June 2011, Saja and AEK agreed to terminate his contract one year before it expired.[3] Shortly after, the 32-year old returned to his homeland and joined Racing Club de Avellaneda.
[edit] International career
Saja had four caps for Argentina, making his debut against Wales, on 13 February 2002 (1–1 in Cardiff).[4]
In the following year, he appeared in a further three friendlies, with Honduras (3–1), Mexico (1–0) and the United States (1–0).[5]
[edit] Honours
[edit] Team
[edit] Individual
- South American Goalkeeper of the Year: 2002
- Libertadores Cup: Best goalkeeper 2007
[edit] References
- ^ Omonia keep the party going in Nicosia; UEFA.com, 28 August 2008
- ^ Saja signs new deal; AEK's official website (Greek)
- ^ Βελούδινο διαζύγιο ΑΕΚ - Σάχα; Tovima, 29 June 2011 (Greek)
- ^ International Matches 2002; at RSSSF
- ^ International Friendly Matches 2003; at RSSSF
[edit] External links
- Argentine League statistics (Spanish)
- BDFutbol profile
- Sebastián Saja at National-Football-Teams.com
- Transfermarkt profile (German)
- FootballDatabase profile and stats
- Official website (Spanish)
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- 1979 births
- Living people
- People from Buenos Aires Province
- Argentine people of Italian descent
- Naturalised citizens of Italy
- Italian people of Argentine descent
- Argentine footballers
- Association football goalkeepers
- Association football goalkeepers who have scored
- Primera División Argentina players
- San Lorenzo footballers
- Racing Club footballers
- Serie A footballers
- Brescia Calcio players
- Rayo Vallecano footballers
- Córdoba CF footballers
- Primera División de México players
- Club América footballers
- Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense players
- Superleague Greece players
- AEK Athens F.C. players
- Argentina international footballers
- Argentine expatriate footballers
- Expatriate footballers in Italy
- Expatriate footballers in Spain
- Expatriate footballers in Mexico
- Expatriate footballers in Brazil
- Expatriate footballers in Greece
