Rubén Gracia

Football player infobox
playername = Cani


fullname = Rubén Gracia Calmache
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1981|6|12
cityofbirth = Zaragoza
countryofbirth = Spain
height = 1.75 m
currentclub = Villarreal CF
clubnumber = 10
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs = Stadium Venecia Real Zaragoza
years = 2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2006 2006–
clubs = Utebo FC (loan) Zaragoza B Real Zaragoza Villarreal CF
caps(goals) = – (–) 31 (6) 122 (13) 68 (4)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = September 30, 2008
ntupdate = September 30, 2008

Rubén Gracia Calmache, aka Cani (born 12 June 1981 in Zaragoza), is a Spanish footballer. He currently plays with Villarreal CF, usually as a right midfielder, but can also play on the left.

Club career

Hometown Real Zaragoza gradute Cani, after a loan stint with lowly Utebo FC (fourth level), was shining in the B team (who was then playing in "Segunda División B"). As the main side's fate was already consumated in 2001-02 (relegation, ranking last), he received his first-team debut, playing 30 minutes in a 1-1 home draw against FC Barcelona.

After helping Zaragoza regain its top flight status (24 matches, 5 goals, his first coming on March 23, 2003, in a 2-0 win at Real Oviedo), Cani went on to become a vital element in the Aragonese side's midfield.

In 2003-04, he helped Zaragoza win the Spanish Cup, in a 3-2 extra time win over Real Madrid. He was sent off during the match.

During 2005-06, Cani was one of the league's best passers and, at the season's end, signed with Villarreal CF for €8.4 millions. He appeared in 32 contests for the 2007-08 runners-up, although he did not score.

Honours

*Spanish Cup: 2004, runner-up 2006
*Spanish Supercup: 2004

External links

* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7110 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon