Fernando Varela Ramos

Football player infobox
playername = Fernando Varela


fullname = Fernando Varela Ramos
height =
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|9|1
cityofbirth = Dos Hermanas, Seville
countryofbirth = Spain
currentclub = Real Mallorca
clubnumber = 7
position = Right back/midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1996-2000 2000 2000-2006 2006-
clubs = Betis B →CF Extremadura (loan) Real Betis Real Mallorca
caps(goals) = 101 (17) 23 (3) 143 (3) 64 (8)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = August 31, 2008
ntupdate = August 31, 2008

Fernando Varela Ramos, Varela (born September 1, 1979 in Dos Hermanas, Seville, Andalusia), is a Spanish footballer that currently plays for RCD Mallorca of the Spanish first division, as a right-sided defender/midfielder, noted for his pace and long-range strikes.

Club career

Varela was a youth player at Seville club based Real Betis, and debuted for the first team in 1996-97's closing stages, at Valencia CF (1-1).

In 2001-02, after a six-month stint with "Segunda División" outfit CF Extremadura, he established himself definitely with the main squad, appearing in 25 league contests. In five seasons with Betis, Varela only netted three times, but they were noted as some of the best in the club's history, including once against FC Barcelona where, from his own half, he dribbled past five footballers, striking the ball into the top corner with his left foot (2002-03), and a fantastic left-footed volley against city rivals Sevilla FC, in 2005-06.

Varela moved to RCD Mallorca in 2006-07. He had a slow start, which culminated in two red cards in the first 11 matches. However, towards the end of the first season he was fully reinstated as right midfielder, being more involved in the team's offense. Varela scored three times, including one against Real Madrid on the final day of the season, as Madrid eventually won 3-1 and the league title.

The following season, incidentally against R.Madrid, on November 11, 2007, Varela netted twice, but Mallorca lost again in Spain's capital (4-3).

External links

* [http://www.rcdmallorca.es Mallorca official website]
* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=6435 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon