Luciano Becchio

Luciano Becchio

Becchio playing for Leeds United
Personal information
Full name	Luciano Héctor Becchio
Height	6 ft 1.5 in (1.87 m)
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Leeds United
Number	10
Youth career
2002–2003	Boca Juniors
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2003	Boca Juniors	0	(0)
2003–2005	Mallorca B	29	(5)
2004–2005	→ Granada 74 (loan)	16	(3)
2005–2006	Terrassa	24	(2)
2006–2007	Barcelona B	10	(0)
2006–2008	Mérida	50	(28)
2008–	Leeds United	83	(31)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:03, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

Luciano Héctor Becchio (born 28 December 1983) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Leeds United as a striker. He previously played for Boca Juniors, RCD Mallorca B, Granada 74 CF, Terrassa FC, FC Barcelona Atlètic and Mérida UD.

Career

Early career

Born in Córdoba, Becchio started his career at Boca Juniors in Argentina, playing in their youth teams. But after failing to make a first team appearance for Boca, Becchio tried his luck in Spain. He was known simply as Luciano in Spain, where he had spells at FC Barcelona and Real Mallorca. He became renowned as a lower-league talisman, scoring 28 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions, with 22 of his goals scored in the league for Mérida UD during the 2007–08 season. Luciano finished the season as Spain's Segunda División B top scorer, with six goals coming in the last four games, including a hat-trick on the final day against CD Baza.

Leeds United

In July 2008, he joined League One side Leeds United on trial aiming to impress manager Gary McAllister in pre-season friendlies against Shelbourne and Barnet. He was recommended to Leeds scout Gwyn Williams by former Spanish Newcastle defender Marcelino Elena. On 31 July, he signed for Leeds on a three-year contract. He made his first start for Leeds in their 5–2 win over Chester City in the first round of the League Cup. He was given his first league start against Yeovil Town in a 1–1 draw; in which it took him just 25 seconds to score his first Leeds goal. He scored his second goal for the club in his first start at Elland Road in a 4–0 victory over Crystal Palace in the League Cup. The following week, he came off the bench to head home his third Leeds goal in the 2–1 win over local rivals Bradford City in the Football League Trophy.

During the 2008–09 season Becchio only missed one match in all competitions, which was due to suspension. In a sequence of appearances which saw him start 24 consecutive matches - including the entire busy Christmas period and while deputising for the injured Jermaine Beckford - he scored nine goals. With the loan signing of Lee Trundle from Bristol City, and the January transfer window signing of Mike Grella, manager Simon Grayson publicly stated that Becchio would be given a short resting period so that he would be ready for the vital last few months of the season, although that never materialised as Becchio was insistent on retaining his place in the team. Grayson frequently referred to Becchio as Lazarus due to various points in the season where he would be injured but would make a remarkable recovery to be fit and ready for the next match. In the final game of the season he scored his 18th goal of the season in all competitions, which in turn contributed to the relegation of Northampton Town. His 19th of the season came against Millwall in the League One play-off semi-final, in which he rounded off a fine team move started by Ben Parker, with Beckford and Andy Robinson also playing vital roles. He scored 19 goals in his debut season in English football at Leeds.

Becchio scored his first goal of the 2009–10 season in the 1–0 league win against Wycombe Wanderers. He had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside in the League Cup tie against Liverpool; replays showed that he was onside as Beckford flicked on Ľubomír Michalík's headed pass. He missed the game against Milton Keynes Dons (MK Dons) as his wife was due to give birth. Becchio and his wife welcomed their first daughter named Bianca who was born on 27 September 2009 at the Leeds General Infirmary. He picked up a serious ankle injury in the game against Charlton Athletic, when he stepped on the ball whilst controlling it from a high pass, and had to be substituted. Radio Leeds believed Becchio might have broken his ankle, although the club were waiting to have a second scan on his ankle after the swelling went down. The scan showed that he had suffered ligament damage to his ankle, according to Leeds assistant manager Ian Miller. Becchio did not play for the Leeds first team again until late November. In his absence Leeds signed Welsh International striker Sam Vokes on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers until 2 January 2010 as cover.

On 25 November 2009, Becchio returned from injury and played in Leeds' reserve team game against Lincoln City, to help boost his match fitness. Becchio scored a goal in a 2–1 victory and also managed to get a full 90 minutes under his belt. He returned for the first team as a substitute in the FA Cup second round draw with Kettering Town. Two days later, he came on as a substitute against Oldham Athletic and scored his first goal since his long layoff, this his third of the season. He returned to Leeds' starting lineup in the league at the expense of Sam Vokes against Brentford. His fifth goal of the season was a header against Hartlepool United on boxing day, which took a heavy deflection.

Becchio played against Premier League team Manchester United when Leeds won 1–0 away at Old Trafford on 3 January 2010 in the FA Cup third round, but he picked up an injury and was substituted in stoppage time. Becchio struggled for goals for Leeds since returning from injury, with him being asked to play in more of a deeper strikers role to hold the ball up for the midfield. Against Tottenham Hotspur Becchio was dropped to the bench and replaced up front by Robert Snodgrass, although he later came on in the second half after replacing midfielder Michael Doyle as Leeds earned a replay against the Premier League side. Becchio's sixth goal of the season for Leeds came in the FA Cup replay against Tottenham, after Beckford's shot was parried by Heurelho Gomes and it fell into the path of Becchio who slotted it into the back of the net. Goals number seven and eight for Becchio came in the following game against Hartlepool. This was the first double he scored in a competitive match for Leeds.

Becchio disputably scored his ninth goal of the season with an injury time equaliser coming against Leyton Orient when his goalbound shot was deflected in by Orient defender Charlie Daniels; the goal was credited to Daniels but Becchio said he felt the goal should be his as his shot was goalbound. Becchio scored another two goals against Oldham, taking his tally to 10 goals for the season. He continued his fine goal scoring form when he scored his 11th goal of the season in the Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town, with the game finishing 2–2. Goal number 12 of the season came against Tranmere Rovers, with Becchio scoring with a diving header.

Becchio was substituted early on in the first half against Norwich City after being knocked unconscious after Michael Nelson kicked him in the head. Becchio's head also landed heavily on the ground which caused him to swallow his tongue. He was substituted by Mike Grella and due to the injury was ruled out against Swindon Town.

Becchio returned from injury for Leeds when he was named on the bench against Southend United and managed to score his 13th goal of the season in the 83rd minute after he replaced Beckford as a substitute in Leeds' 2–0 win. Goals number 14 and 15 came when Becchio scored a brace against Carlisle United. Becchio scored his 16th of the season with a goal against Gillingham in Leeds 3–2 defeat. Becchio's 17th goal came against MK Dons in Leeds' 4–1 win. Becchio played an instrumental part as Leeds were promoted to the Football League Championship after finishing in 2nd place in League One and thus earning automatic promotion.

Becchio started the opening game and scored Leeds' 1st goal of the Championship season against Derby County and slotted in an equaliser after a run by Jonny Howson, however Leeds lost 2-1.. Becchio's second goal of the season came in Leeds' second match of the season in the Carling Cup against Lincoln City.

Personal Life

Luciano is married to his long term partner Patricia Bosquet with whom he has one child. Luciano is known for his laid back private demeanour but extremely positive work ethic.

Career statistics

England
Season	Club	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		FL Trophy		Play-Offs		Total		Discipline
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2010/2011	Leeds United	Championship	3	1	0	0	2	1	-	-	-	-	5	2	0	0
2009/2010		League One	36	15	5	2	3	0	2	0	-	-	46	17	5	0
2008/2009		League One	45	15	3	0	4	2	2	1	2	1	56	19	7	0
Total			84	31	8	2	8	2	4	1	2	1	106	38	12	0

(correct as of 27th August 2010)

Honours

Leeds United

• League One Runners-Up (Promoted): 2009-2010

External links

Luciano Becchio at Soccerbase