Francisco Jiménez Tejada

Infobox Football biography
playername = Xisco


fullname = Francisco Jiménez Tejada
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1986|6|26
cityofbirth = Palma de Mallorca
countryofbirth = Spain
height = height|metres=1.88
position = Striker
currentclub = Newcastle United
clubnumber = 19
youthyears = 2004–2006
youthclubs = Deportivo B
years = 2004–2008 2006–2007 2008–
clubs = Deportivo La Coruña →UD Vecindario (loan) Newcastle United
caps(goals) = 44 (12) 27 (13) 03 0(1)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Spain U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 06 0(2)
pcupdate = 15:15, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 20:06, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Francisco Jiménez Tejada, aka Xisco (born June 26, 1986 in Palma de Mallorca), is a Spanish football striker, who currently plays for Newcastle United.

Club career

A product of Deportivo de La Coruña youth ranks, Xisco made his "La Liga" debut on April 26, 2005, against Real Sociedad. His first (and second) goal arrived also that season, in a 2–2 draw with Real Zaragoza, on May 15.

In 2007-08, after a season-long loan at second division's UD Vecindario, Xisco emerged as a top-flight striker, scoring five goals in two consecutive matches: a hat-trick in a 3-1 home win against Real Murcia on March 30, 2008, adding two away to Racing de Santander (same result) the following week.

On September 1, 2008 Xisco signed for Newcastle United for a reported intial fee of £5.7 million. Although the fee could eventually rise to £7 million subject to conditions. [Cite web
url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_4076955,00.html
title = Magpies agree Xisco deal
accessdate = 2008-09-01
publisher = Sky Sport
date = 2008-09-01] He made his debut for the club in the 2-1 home defeat by Hull City on September 13, scoring in the game.

International career

Xisco made his Spanish under-21 debut in a friendly against England on February 6, 2007, and had a shot hit the foot of the post. [Cite web
url = http://www.soccer-spain.com/ssdocs/archive2006/u21international/u21int05.html
title = England 2-2 Spain
accessdate = 2007-02-07
publisher = soccer-spain.com
date = 2008-09-07] He scored his first goal in the category by netting against Georgia, during the 2009 Under-21 Euro qualifiers, [Cite web
url = http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=15084/match=300311/report=rp.html
title = Spain double up on Georgia
accessdate = 2007-09-11
publisher = uefa.com
date = 2008-09-07] adding to his tally by against Russia with a subtle finish, also during the qualifiers. [Cite web
url = http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=15084/match=300307/report=rp.html
title = Slick Spain shatter Russia hopes
accessdate = 2008-08-20
publisher = uefa.com
date = 2008-09-07]

Personal

Xisco is one day older than namesake Xisco Nadal, formerly of Villarreal CF and also a Spanish youth international. They also share birthplace, while not related.

References

External links

* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7514 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon
*soccerbase|id=41172|name=Xisco