Gerard López

Gerard

Personal information
Full name	Gerard López Segú
Date of birth	March 12, 1979 (1979-03-12)
Place of birth	Granollers, Spain
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1996	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1996–1997	Barcelona B	32	(10)
1997–2000	Valencia	45	(4)
1998–1999	→ Alavés (loan)	29	(7)
2000–2005	Barcelona	91	(5)
2005–2007	Monaco	13	(1)
2007–2008	Recreativo	18	(0)
2009–2011	Girona	31	(4)
National team
1996–1998	Spain U18	9	(5)
1997	Spain U20	4	(0)
1998–2000	Spain U21	10	(5)
2000	Spain	6	(2)
1998–2008	Catalonia	6	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 June 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

For the businessman, see Gerard Lopez (businessman).

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

Gerard López Segú (born 12 March 1979), usually known as just Gerard, is a Spanish footballer. An all-around midfielder, he is known for precision passes and ball control skills. During his career, he played most notably for FC Barcelona and Valencia CF, excelling at the latter and helping it reach one UEFA Champions League final.

Gerard participated with Spain at Euro 2000.

Club career

Born in Granollers, Barcelona, Catalonia, Gerard began his career in the FC Barcelona youth system and, in 1996–97, made his professional debut with its B team. As a 17-year old he was signed by Valencia CF, making his La Liga debuts on August 31, 1997, aged 18, being loaned to Deportivo Alavés, which had returned to the top flight after a four-decade absence.

After a breakout season with the Basque side, scoring seven goals, Gerard returned to Valencia, helping the Che reach the UEFA Champions League final. During this time he came to be regarded as one of the top players in Spain and, after receiving interest from several top clubs in Europe, including F.C. Internazionale Milano, A.C. Milan and Manchester United, Gerard decided to join his former club Barcelona in July 2000, in a deal worth €22 million (£15 million).

Gerard would go on to appear regularly for the Catalan side during his five-year second spell, although never an undisputed starter; injuries also began to curtail his career. After leaving Barça with the 2004–05 national title, he moved abroad, playing two unassuming seasons with France's AS Monaco FC(also being severely injured), returning to Spain in 2007–08, joining top-divisioner Recreativo de Huelva.

After rejecting some moves, notably to PAOK FC, Gerard trained for a few months with lowly EC Granollers, in Preferent Territorial de Catalunya. In mid-February 2009, he moved back to Catalonia, joining Girona FC until the end of the second division campaign. Shortly after arriving, he got injured again, but managed to score four times the league in only six games.

International career

After a spectacular 1999–00 season with Valencia, on both fronts, Gerard received his first cap for Spain, on 3 June 2000, in a 1–1 friendly with Sweden, in Gothenburg. He went on to play in a further five internationals, being selected for UEFA Euro 2000.

Honours

• Valencia:
  • Spanish Supercup: 1999
  • UEFA Champions League: Runner-up 1999–2000

• Barcelona:
  • Spanish League: 2004–05

Personal

Gerard's older brothers, Sergi López Segú and Julià López Segú (aka Juli, born 1969), were also footballers, and defenders. The former, who represented Barcelona, RCD Mallorca and Real Zaragoza between 1987–95, committed suicide at 39.

The latter played almost exclusively for Barça B whilst it was in the second division, also having a brief first division spell (13 matches) with Real Valladolid, in 1993–94.

External links

• Girona official profile (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• L'Équipe stats (French)
• Gerard López French league stats at LFP.fr (French)
• Gerard López – FIFA competition record