Sergio Asenjo

Football player infobox
playername = Sergio Asenjo


fullname = Sergio Asenjo Andrés
height = height| m = 1.89
weight = 85 kg
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1989|6|28
cityofbirth = Palencia
countryofbirth = Spain
currentclub = Real Valladolid
clubnumber = 1
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears = 2005-2006
youthclubs = Real Valladolid
years = 2006-2008
2007-
clubs = Valladolid B
Real Valladolid
caps(goals) = 39 (0)
33 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = September 26, 2008
ntupdate =

Sergio Asenjo Andrés, Asenjo (born June 28, 1989 in Palencia), is a Spanish goalkeeper, who currently plays for Real Valladolid.

Club career

Asenjo began playing in Real Valladolid junior teams, and soon emerged as one of the most talented players in the club.

He started the 2007-2008 season playing for the reserve team, Real Valladolid B, in "Segunda División B", after just barely avoiding relegation the previous campaign. However, poor performances by both first team goalkeepers, Frenchman Ludovic Butelle (on loan from Valencia CF) and veteran Alberto, gave him a chance to debut in "La Liga". His debut was very successful, keeping a clean sheet as Valladolid beat Villarreal CF 2-0 on December 12, 2007.

Following great performances, where he conceded one goal in his first five matches, Asenjo retained the spot as starting goalkeeper, becoming the youngest league goalkeeper that season. In January 2008, he signed his first professional contract as a top division team player, agreeing to extend his former youth contract with Valladolid for another three years, while increasing his wage and selling price (€5.5 million).

International career

In 2006, Asenjo was selected to the U-17 Spanish national team, as Spain took home the bronze in the 2006 U-17 European Championship, with Asenjo was a key player, playing all games as a starter.

He was again called up, for the 2007 U-19 European Championship. In the qualification rounds, his role in the team was quite insignificant, as back-up goalkeeper. But this changed in the semifinal against France, replacing the injured first-choice. After 0-0 in regulation time, the game was decided in a penalty shootout. Asenjo saved two, as Spain progressed to the final match, where he started against Greece with another excellent display, as Spain won 1-0 to be crowned European champions.

References

External links

* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7902 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon