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Fernando Llorente

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For the Spanish footballer born in 1990, see Fernando Llorente Mañas.
Fernando Llorente
Personal information
Full name Fernando Llorente Torres
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Athletic Bilbao
Number 9
Youth career
1994–1995 FC Funes
1995–1996 River Ebro
1996–2003 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Baskonia 33 (12)
2004–2005 Bilbao Athletic 16 (4)
2005– Athletic Bilbao 226 (77)
International career‡
2003 Spain U17 3 (2)
2005 Spain U20 4 (5)
2005–2006 Spain U21 9 (5)
2008– Spain 20 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 February 2012
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 February 2012

Template:Spanish name Fernando Llorente Torres (born 26 February 1985), nicknamed El Rey León (The Lion King in Spanish),[1] is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team, as a striker.

Llorente started his career with Athletic Bilbao, swiftly working his way through the various youth ranks, and becoming one of the most important offensive players for the club in the following decade, since making his first team debuts in 2005.

A Spanish international since late 2008, he helped the national team win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Llorente playing for Athletic Bilbao against Hércules, during which he scored the first goal of 2010–11.

Though born in Pamplona, Navarre, Llorente grew up in the municipality of Rincón de Soto in La Rioja.[2][3] He joined Athletic de Bilbao's youth system in 1996, at the age of 11, being eligible through his Navarrese roots. He spent several seasons in the various junior levels of the club, moving in 2003 to CD Baskonia of Tercera División,[4] effectively an Athletic youth team, and also a feeder club since 1997.

Llorente scored 12 goals in 33 appearances for Baskonia, paving way for his promotion to Bilbao Athletic, Athletic's reserve team, then in Segunda División B.[5]

After featuring in 16 games and scoring four goals for the Bilbao Athletic in the first half of season, Llorente was awarded with a contract extension until June 2008.[6] On 16 January 2005, he made his first-team - and La Liga - debut in a 1–1 home draw against RCD Espanyol.[7] Three days later, in a Copa del Rey match with UD Lanzarote, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 victory,[8] and would go on to feature in all but five of the 19 remaining league games while scoring three goals, and also featuring in four domestic cup matches and the UEFA Cup round-of-32 game against FK Austria Wien.

Before the 2005–06 season, Llorente's squad number was promoted from number 32 to 9.[9] He scored in the opening day, a Basque derby 3–0 win against Real Sociedad.[10] Throughout the season, Llorente found goals hard to come by, which could be partly attributed to a series of injuries including a knee strain,[11] gastroenteritis,[12] and a muscle injury.[13] He ended the season with just four goals, two in the league and as much in the Cup, against CE L'Hospitalet.[14]

On 13 July 2006, Llorente signed a new contract with Athletic until June 2011, which included a buy-out clause of between €30 and 50 million.[15] He started the season as arguably the club's fourth-choice striker, behind Aritz Aduriz, Joseba Etxeberria and veteran Ismael Urzaiz. Athletic's poor form and lack of goals led to coach Félix Sarriugarte into rotating the players, allowing Llorente to force his way back into the side. Llorente ended the season with only two goals in 23 matches, although he did score an important goal in the closing minutes of a 1–1 away draw with Valencia CF.

In preparation for the 2007–08 season, Llorente scored six goals in as many pre-season games, and another against CD Numancia in the Caja Duero Trophy. His form led to him becoming Athletic's first-choice forward, and although he started the season poorly, he ended it with a total of 11 league goals for a side that finished in mid-table. His tally included four goals in two games against Valencia, both impressive wins,[16][17] and further strikes against FC Barcelona,[18] Villarreal CF[19] and Atlético de Madrid.[20]

Prior to 2008–09, Llorente was confident of a successful season. "I know that I am capable of scoring goals and having a good year and I want to start this term in the same form that I ended the last one in" he said.[21] Despite Athletic's modest start to the season, he netted 14 league goals - a career-best - with another four in the Cup, helping his team reach the final against Barcelona (1–4 loss).

In the 2009–10 season, Llorente again netted in double figures; additionally, he led all scorers in the Europa League for a lengthy period, with eight goals. He added 14 in the league as Athletic finished in eighth position.

On 28 August 2010, Llorente scored the first goal of 2010–11, in a 1–0 win at Hércules CF. His form continued in the next ten league fixtures, as he found the net seven times,[22] eventually finishing the season with 18 goals (19 overall), as Athletic qualified to the Europa League.

In January/February 2012, in two away games separated by only four days, Llorente scored five goals: he started with a hat-trick in a 3–2 win against Rayo Vallecano,[23] adding two in Athletic's win over CD Mirandés for the Spanish Cup semifinals (2–1).[24] In the next two matches, both at home, he netted three more, one against Espanyol in the league (3–3)[25] and two against Mirandés (6–2).[26]

International career

Llorente (right, with number 16, marked by Peter Crouch) moments before his first goal for the Spanish national team.

Llorente represented Spain at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship. His five goals led him to win the silver boot as the competition's second highest scorer,[27] and he was also capped at under-18 and u-19 levels.

On 14 November 2008, senior national team manager Vicente del Bosque called Llorente for a friendly against Chile.[28] He was brought on as a substitute in the 72nd minute of a 3–0 win.[29] He scored his first goal in a 2–0 friendly win over England, on 11 February 2009, coming on from the bench to score in the 64th minute.[30] After scoring 14 goals for Athletic in 2008–09, del Bosque named Llorente in his 23-man squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. He came from the bench against hosts South Africa, and scored in a 2–0 victory.[31]

During the 2009–10 season, Llorente was not called up once, as del Bosque favoured Álvaro Negredo. However, he would be selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also in South Africa, as third-choice striker, where he played in one match for the eventual champions: the last 30 minutes of the 1–0 round of 16 win against Portugal.

Additionally, Llorente was called several times by the Basque Country national football team. He scored one goal for the tricolor in a match against Catalonia at the Camp Nou, in 2006.

On 8 October 2010, benefiting from the injury of Fernando Torres, Llorente started in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania, in Salamanca. With two headers - his strongest asset - he contributed prominently in a 3–1 win; four days later, coming from the bench, he scored the winner against Scotland, for a 3–2 success at Hampden Park.

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1[32] 11 February 2009 Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Sevilla, Spain  England 2–0 2–0 Friendly
2[33] 20 June 2009 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa  South Africa 2–0 2–0 2009 Confederations Cup
3[34] 28 May 2010 Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck, Austria  Saudi Arabia 3–2 3–2 Friendly
4[35] 7 September 2010 El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina  Argentina 1–3 1–4 Friendly
5[36] 8 October 2010 Estadio El Helmántico, Salamanca, Spain  Lithuania 1–0 3–1 Euro 2012 qualifying
6[37] 8 October 2010 Estadio El Helmántico, Salamanca, Spain  Lithuania 2–1 3–1 Euro 2012 qualifying
7[38] 12 October 2010 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland  Scotland 3–2 3–2 Euro 2012 qualifying

Template:Ig footer

Statistics

Club

All stats correct as of 7 February 2012.[39]

Club League Season League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Baskonia Tercera División 2003–04 33 12 - - - - 33 12
Bilbao Athletic Segunda División B 2004–05 16 4 - - - - 16 4
Athletic Bilbao La Liga 2004–05 15 3 4 3 1 0 20 6
2005–06 22 2 3 2 - - 25 4
2006–07 23 2 1 0 - - 24 2
2007–08 35 11 5 1 - - 40 12
2008–09 34 14 9 4 - - 43 18
2009–10 37 14 2 1 11 8 50 23
2010–11 38 18 3 1 - - 41 19
2011–12 22 13 5 5 9 3 36 21
Total club 226 77 32 17 21 11 272 103
Career Total 271 93 32 17 21 11 327 121

Honours

Club

Country

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Un 'rey león' en el área" (in Spanish). Diario AS. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Llorente nació en la capital navarra "de casualidad"" (in Spanish). Diario de Navarra. 9 April 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Fue todo tan rápido que ni me lo creía" (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 18 January 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Staff restructuring". Athletic Bilbao. 26 June 2003. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Incorporations of Bilbao Athletic". Athletic Bilbao. 1 June 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  6. ^ "Fernando Llorente's contract extension". Athletic Bilbao. 11 December 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  7. ^ "Athletic Club 1-Espanyol 1: No luck". Athletic Bilbao. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  8. ^ "Athletic Club 6-Lanzarote 0: It advanced". Athletic Bilbao. 20 January 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  9. ^ "Numbers for the 2005–2006 season". Athletic Bilbao. 29 July 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  10. ^ "Athletic Club 3 Real Sociedad 0: An excellent start to the season". Athletic Bilbao. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  11. ^ "Urzaiz fit to play, Prieto, Guerrero and Llorente sidelined". Athletic Bilbao. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  12. ^ "Several players injured as a result of the match". Athletic Bilbao. 8 January 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Llorente and Lacruz: Muscle overload". Athletic Bilbao. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  14. ^ "L'Hospitalet 1-Athletic Club 3: To the Round of 16". Athletic Bilbao. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  15. ^ "Llorente's renewal: press conference". Athletic Bilbao. 13 July 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Valencia 0 – Athletic Club 3: A perfect match". Athletic Bilbao. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  17. ^ "Athletic Club 5 Valencia 1: A perfect night". Athletic Bilbao. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  18. ^ "Athletic Club 1-FC Barcelona 1: A proud point". Athletic Bilbao. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  19. ^ "Athletic Club 1-Villarreal 2: From better to worse". Athletic Bilbao. 22 February 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  20. ^ "Atlético de Madrid 1-Athletic Club 2: A step in the right direction". Athletic Bilbao. 17 February 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  21. ^ "Aduriz move surprised everyone – Llorente". All Things Mallorca. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  22. ^ "Llorente lifts Bilbao". ESPN Soccernet. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  23. ^ "Llorente hits hat-trick in Athletic win". ESPN Soccernet. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  24. ^ "El 'Rey León' saca las garras en Anduva" (in Spanish). Marca. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Albin's late strike earns Espanyol a point". ESPN Soccernet. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  26. ^ "Grandes y gigantes" (in Spanish). Marca. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Silver Boot". Athletic Bilbao. 2 March 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  28. ^ "The Spanish national team: Call up". Athletic Bilbao. 14 November 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  29. ^ "Spain beats Chile 3–0 to cap historic season". IHT.com. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2008.
  30. ^ "Spain 2–0 England". BBC Sport. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  31. ^ "Spain – South Africa". FIFA.com. Retrieved 20 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Text "20 June 2009" ignored (help)
  32. ^ "Segundo gol de Llorente (video)" (in Spanish). RTVE. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Llorente marca el segundo tanto, min 71' (video)" (in Spanish). Telecinco. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 12 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "España 3-2 Arabia Saudí (Llorente) (video)" (in Spanish). RTVE. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Llorente acorta distancias (3-1) (video)" (in Spanish). RTVE. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Llorente abre la lata (1-0) (video)" (in Spanish). RTVE. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "Llorente adelanta de nuevo a España (2-1) (video)" (in Spanish). RTVE. 8 October 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "2–3. Cabezazo de oro (video)" (in Spanish). Telecinco. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ ESPNsoccernet stats

External links


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