Alberto López Fernández

Alberto
Personal information
Full name Alberto López Fernández
Date of birth (1969-05-20) 20 May 1969
Place of birth Irun, Spain
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Youth career
1986 Dumboa
1987 Real Sociedad
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1993 Real Sociedad B 48 (0)
1987–1989 → Pasajes (loan)
1993–2006 Real Sociedad 346 (0)
2006–2009 Valladolid 43 (0)
Teams managed
2014–2015 Alavés

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is López and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.

Alberto López Fernández (born 20 May 1969), known simply as Alberto, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and a current manager.

A player with good one-on-one skills he had a weakness in crossing situations, and spent the bulk of his career at Real Sociedad, for which he appeared in 378 official games.

Club career

Real Sociedad

A product of Basque Country giants Real Sociedad's youth system, Alberto was born in Irun, and made his first appearances with the first team in the closing stages of the 1992–93 season, having played understudy to the inconsistent Javier Yubero for most of the year. He would be the undisputed starter from the following campaign onwards, missing only seven La Liga games in the next seven years combined (in 1997–98, as Real ranked third, he played all 38 matches and conceded 37 goals).

From 2001–02 onwards, Alberto had to compete for the starting job with newly signed Sander Westerveld. He finished the season with 18 appearances, but had only one in the following campaign as the Dutchman was first-choice for the runners-up.

Valladolid

Following the emergenge of another youth squads' product, Asier Riesgo, Alberto was deemed surplus to requirements and joined Real Valladolid in Segunda División on a one-year deal. In 2006–07, he helped the side return to the top flight after a three-year absence,[1] while also collecting a Ricardo Zamora Trophy – 36 matches, 29 goals.

In the following season, Alberto acted as backup and helped develop wonderkid Sergio Asenjo (20 years his junior), and had his contract extended until June 2009 after which he retired at the age of 40.

References

External links

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