Pedro León

Football player infobox
playername= Pedro León


fullname = Pedro León Sánchez Gil
nickname = Jonay
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|11|24
cityofbirth = Mula
countryofbirth = Spain
height = 1.82 cm
weight = 70 kg
currentclub = Real Valladolid
clubnumber = 12
position = Attacking midfielder
youthyears = 2000-2002
2003-2004
2004
youthclubs = Muleño CF
Nueva Vanguardia
Real Murcia
years = 2004-2005
2005–2007
2007–2008
2008-
clubs = Real Murcia B
Real Murcia
Levante UD
Valladolid
caps(goals) = 18 (4)
67 (9)
23 (3)
2 (0)
nationalyears = 2007
nationalteam = Spain U-21
nationalcaps(goals) = 3 (0)
pcupdate = September 21, 2008
ntupdate = July 10, 2007

Pedro León Sánchez Gil (born November 24, 1986 in Mula) is a Spanish footballer, currently playing for Real Valladolid. His position is midfielder. He is noted for having a powerful right foot after scoring a couple of goals and free kicks from near the half way line. His brother is professional cyclist Luis León Sánchez.

Club career

Early career (2003-2006)

He began his career in the Muleño CF youth team in 2000 until 2002 where he moved to Nueva Vanguardia for one year where he joined the Real Murcia youth team, making 10 appearances. [ [http://www.levanteud.com/levante/plantilla/20072008/P.+Le%F3n.html Levante UD :: P.León] - Dead Link] He moved to Real Murcia B in 2004 and made his debut in the main team on January 15, 2005 in the Segunda División where he went on to play seven matches during that season scoring against local rivals Ciudad de Murcia.

Real Murcia and transfer rumours (2007)

The following year he became and integral player for Real Murcia where he scored eight goals, several of which were scored from free kicks.

On January 31, 2007, he made his debut for the Spanish U-21 side, during this time he was rumoured to be moving to Real Madrid or Chelsea. It was speculated during April, 2007 that Chelsea would buy him for £3.4 million. [ [http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/chelsea-move-for-murcia-starlet-pedro-le-552173.html Chelsea move for Murcia starlet Pedro Leon] ] Despite rumours of moving to a big European side, he instead moved to the more modest Levante UD in the summer of 2007 for £2.5 million after rejecting an offer from Real Murcia to renew his contract for £1 million. The club did not receive his departure very well and found it quite offensive.

Levante UD (2007-2008)

His season at Levante UD during 2007/2008 was disappointing compared to previous years, having only scored 3 goals from 21 games of which he was in the starting line up only 11 times. [ [http://www.levanteud.com/levante/plantilla/20072008/P.+Le%F3n.html Levante UD :: P.León] - Dead Link] Despite being a renowned attacking midfielder, Levante UD play him in various positions such as central midfielder and striker under which he is listed on the club's official website.

Valladolid (2008-)

On September 1, 2008, Real Valladolid made a rapid negotiation with Pedro León and Levante to buy the player for €300,000 after a disappointing season at Levante which saw the club get relegated. He also ended up training alone due to conflicts with his team mates.

International career

pain U-21

He made his debut for the Spanish national under-21 football team on January 31, 2007. On 6 February, 2007, Iñaki Sáez called him up once more for a friendly against the England U-21 side where he was subsituted on the 61 minute to make way for Juan Manuel Mata, the match ended a 2-2 draw. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6322149.stm England U21 2-2 Spain U21] ] His last match was against Georgia where he came on the pitch on the 69 minute to replace Alfaro. [ [http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=15084/match=300309/report=ev.html UEFA European U-21 C'ship - Fixtures & Results - Match Specific] ]

References