Sebastián Saja

Sebástian Saja

Personal information
Full name	Diego Sebástian Saja
Date of birth	June 5, 1979 (1979-06-05) (age 32)
Place of birth	La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Racing Club
Number	1
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2008	San Lorenzo	145	(6)
2003	→ Brescia (loan)	4	(0)
2004	→ Rayo Vallecano (loan)	20	(0)
2004	→ Club América (loan)	4	(0)
2005	→ Córdoba (loan)	23	(0)
2007	→ Grêmio (loan)	30	(0)
2008–2011	AEK Athens	72	(0)
2011–	Racing Club	4	(0)
National team
1997–1999	Argentina U20	24	(0)
2002–2003	Argentina	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 July 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Diego Sebastián Saja (born 5 June 1979 in La Plata, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine football who plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda as a goalkeeper.

Club career

San Lorenzo

Saja had 145 overall appearances for Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, being voted South America's best goalkeeper in 2002. The previous year, he helped the side win the Clausura, Mercosur Cup and South American Cup.

Out on loan

Saja split 2003–04 with Brescia Calcio and Rayo Vallecano, being first-choice and dropping down a level with the latter. Moving to another side in Spain and in the second division for the following season, he would also be relegated with Córdoba CF.

After a spell in Mexico with Club América, Saja returned to San Lorenzo making 34 appearances and scoring five goals, but was again sent out on loan, this time to Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, after falling out of favor with new manager Ramón Díaz.

AEK

Released in 2008, Saja signed a three-year contract with AEK Athens FC, earning approximately €400.000. He said to the media that this was a massive opportunity to play in Europe. However, the year he joined, the club was quickly eliminated from UEFA Cup contention.^[1] On May 31, 2009, Saja signed a new three-year deal with AEK.^[2]

Return to Argentina

On 29 June 2011, Saja and AEK agreed to terminate his contract one year before it expired.^[3] Shortly after, the 32-year old returned to his homeland and joined Racing Club de Avellaneda.

International career

Saja had four caps for Argentina, making his debut against Wales, on 13 February 2002 (1–1 in Cardiff).^[4]

In the following year, he appeared in a further three friendlies, with Honduras (3–1), Mexico (1–0) and the United States (1–0).^[5]

Honours

Team

• San Lorenzo:
  • Argentine League: 2001 Clausura
  • Mercosur Cup: 2001
  • South American Cup: 2002

• Grêmio:
  • Rio Grande do Sul State League: 2007

• AEK:
  • Greek Cup: 2010–11

Individual

• South American Goalkeeper of the Year: 2002
• Libertadores Cup: Best goalkeeper 2007

References

1. ^ Omonia keep the party going in Nicosia; UEFA.com, 28 August 2008
2. ^ Saja signs new deal; AEK's official website (Greek)
3. ^ Βελούδινο διαζύγιο ΑΕΚ - Σάχα; Tovima, 29 June 2011 (Greek)
4. ^ International Matches 2002; at RSSSF
5. ^ International Friendly Matches 2003; at RSSSF

External links

• Argentine League statistics (Spanish)
• BDFutbol profile
• FootballDatabase profile and stats
• Sebastián Saja at National-Football-Teams.com
• Transfermarkt profile (German)
• Official website (Spanish)

Persondata
Name	Saja, Sebastian
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1979-06-05
Place of birth	La Plata, Argentina
Date of death
Place of death