Roberto Merino

Roberto Merino

Personal information
Full name	Roberto Merino Ramírez
Date of birth	19 May 1982 (1982-05-19)
Place of birth	Chiclayo, Peru
Height	1.67 m (5 ft 5 1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Nocerina
Number	33
Youth career
1997–1998	Barcelona
1998–2000	Mallorca
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2003	Mallorca B	7	(0)
2003–2004	Málaga B	35	(3)
2004–2005	Servette	12	(3)
2005	Ciudad Murcia	8	(0)
2005–2006	Akratitos	8	(0)
2006–2008	Atromitos	42	(8)
2008–2011	Salernitana	47	(5)
2011	→ Al Naser (loan)	3	(0)
2011	Unión Comercio	8	(4)
2011–	Juan Aurich	11	(2)
2012–	→ Nocerina (loan)	1	(1)
National team‡
2000–2001	Spain U18	9	(3)
2009–	Peru	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 August 2011. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 August 2010

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

Roberto Merino Ramírez (born 19 May 1982 in Chiclayo) is a Peruvian footballer who plays for Italian club Nocerina. He also holds Spanish citizenship, which makes him eligible as a EU player.

Club career

Having moved to Spain in his teens, Merino played youth football with FC Barcelona (only one year) and RCD Mallorca. He made his senior debuts with the latter's reserves, in Segunda División B.

In 2003, Merino moved to Atlético Malagueño, being an important midfielder element as Málaga CF's B team retained its newly acquired Segunda División status. Subsequently, he moved to Switzerland and joined Servette FC but, with the club facing bankruptcy, left in the following transfer window and signed for Ciudad de Murcia - also in Spain's second level - alongside teammate João Paulo Daniel.

Merino was signed by Atromitos F.C. in January 2006, from fellow Greek side Akratitos FC. In February 2009, after two full seasons and two halves, he changed teams (and countries) again, joining Salernitana Calcio 1919 in Italy. While with Salernitana, Merino appeared in 47 league matches and scored 5 goals.

On January 8, 2011 Merino signed with Al Naser Sporting Club of the Kuwaiti Premier League, on loan from Salernitana. Less than one month after, however, he left the Asian club. According to Merino, he decided to leave the club because he didn't feel comfortable, and he had other objectives for his football career.

On February 28, 2011 Merino signed a half season contract with newly promoted team Unión Comercio. Though born in Peru this was his first time playing in the Peruvian First Division. Merino stated his main reason for joining Union Comercio was to earn a regular starting spot on the Peruvian national team.

International career

Merino represented Spain at under-18 level, having already spent several years living in the country.

As a senior, he decided to play for Peru, making his official on 7 June 2009, in a 1–2 home loss against Ecuador for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Honours

Club

Juan Aurich

• Peruvian First Division (1): 2011

Personal

Merino's younger brother, Iván, is also a footballer. A defender, he too represented Mallorca B and Salernitana.

External links

• Gazzetta dello Sport profile (Italian)
• Transfermarkt profile (English)
• Weltfussball profile (German)
• BDFutbol profile (English)