Pablo Couñago

Football player infobox
playername = Pablo Couñago


fullname = Pablo González-Couñago
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|8|9
cityofbirth = Redondela
countryofbirth = Spain
height = height|m=1.80
currentclub = Ipswich Town
clubnumber = 9
position = Striker
youthyears = 1995-1996
1995-1996
1996-1998
youthclubs = Celta Vigo Juvenil B
Celta Vigo Juvenil (División Honor)
Celta de Vigo B
years = 1998–1999
1999–2000
2000–2001
2001–2005
2005–2007
2007–
clubs = CD Numancia
Recreativo de Huelva
Celta de Vigo
Ipswich Town
Málaga CF
Ipswich Town
caps(goals) = 013 0(1)
025 0(4)
008 0(0)
099 (31)
044 0(8)
035 (13)
pcupdate = 5 January 2008
ntupdate =

Pablo González Couñago (born August 9 1979 in Pontevedra in Spain) is a Spanish footballer, who plays for Ipswich Town.

Prior to that he had played for Celta de Vigo (Dec 1998 to July 2001) - during which time had spells on loan at CD Numancia (August 1998 to December 1998) and Recreativo de Huelva (August 1999 to May 2000) - Ipswich Town F.C. (July 2001 to July 2005) and Málaga CF (July 2005 to July 2007).

A regular Spanish Under-21 international from 1999 to 2001 (he was joint top scorer in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship), his potential was highlighted in February 2001 when he scored twice in a 4–0 rout of the England Under 21s. The match was watched by George Burley, who was then Ipswich manager. This prompted him to sign Couñago, who was out of contract, agreeing a four year deal with the player.

After being released by Málaga, on 13 July, 2007, he re-signed for the Tractor Boys on a two year deal, extending to three if the club gains promotion. [cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/6291582.stm
title = Counago makes return to Ipswich
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-07-13
accessdate = 2008-03-23]

Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton said of Couñago "I have always looked at Pablo as a player with all the attributes to be top class. He enjoyed a good relationship with the fans of this club, but I don't think anyone really saw the best of Pablo in his first spell here".

Couñago said of the move back to Town, "It's great to be back here at Ipswich. I'm really excited about the move. As soon as I knew that Jim wanted me I was keen to come back. It's good to feel wanted. I also know the way Jim likes to play football, pass, pass, pass and that is good for me as well". He scored a return debut goal in the 4–1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday and scored two goals in the 4–1 win over Coventry on 22 September, 2007.

As of 17 April, 2008, he is Ipswich's joint top goalscorer with 12 goals. [Cite web
url = http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TeamHome/0,,10272,00.html
title = Ipswich Town F.C. team
publisher = Ipswich Town F.C.
accessdate = 2008-01-11] One of those goals, his rather audacious back heel in their 3-1 defeat to Charlton on 8 December 2007, was voted goal of the 2007/2008 season and was among one of the award winners at Town's 07/08 awards night. [Cite web
url = http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1295807,00.html
title = Jon At The Double
publisher = Ipswich Town F.C.
accessdate = 2008-01-11]

At the end of the season he finished with 12 goals making him joint second top goalscorer.

Personal life

His surname, is actually González-Couñago, latter from mother. But due to the popularity of González, he chose to call himself by his mother's surname.

References

External links

* [http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10272~11501,00.html Pablo Couñago player profile] at itfc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=21192|name=Pablo Couñago