Alberto López Fernández

Alberto

File:Alberto Lopez.jpg
Personal information
Full name	Alberto López Fernández
Date of birth	(1969-05-20) 20 May 1969
Place of birth	Irun, Spain
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Valladolid (coach)
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)
Managerial career
2014–2015	Alavés
2016–	Valladolid
*Club domestic league appearances and 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 the current manager of Real Valladolid.

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, 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.

External links

• Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Spanish)
• Alberto profile at BDFutbol