Yordi
Yordi while at Córdoba (2009)
Personal information
Full name Jorge González Díaz
Date of birth (1974-09-14) 14 September 1974
Place of birth San Fernando, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Sevilla
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1996 Sevilla B 69 (31)
1996 Sevilla 6 (1)
1996–1997 Atlético Madrid B 34 (19)
1997 Atlético Madrid 1 (0)
1997–2004 Zaragoza 164 (45)
2002 → Blackburn Rovers (loan) 8 (2)
2004–2005 Getafe 27 (2)
2005–2006 Mallorca 16 (4)
2006–2008 Xerez 66 (22)
2008–2009 Córdoba 27 (5)
Total 418 (131)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jorge González Díaz (born 14 September 1974), known as Yordi, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

A journeyman, he amassed La Liga totals of 180 games and 37 goals during ten seasons, in representation of five teams (notably Zaragoza), and 161 matches and 61 goals in Segunda División.

In 2002, Yordi had a six-month spell in England with Blackburn Rovers.

Career

Born in San Fernando, Cádiz, Andalusia, Yordi started his professional career with Sevilla FC, moving in 1996 to Atlético Madrid. He spent the vast majority of his only season with the Colchoneros with the B-team, winning the Pichichi Trophy award in Segunda División and being called up two the main squad only twice, once for the UEFA Champions League; on 23 June 1997, he played 30 minutes in a 3–0 home loss against CD Tenerife, in the last matchday.[1]

In the summer of 1997, Yordi signed with Real Zaragoza where he stayed for seven seasons, one in the second level, being a very important attacking contributor although almost always off the bench: in 2000–01, for instance, as the Aragonese side won the Copa del Rey,[2] he only started in ten of 31 La Liga matches, scoring four times for a final 17th position – barely out of the relegation zone.[3]

In February 2002, Zaragoza loaned Yordi to Blackburn Rovers.[4] During his time at Ewood Park, he came on as a substitute as his team won the 2002 Football League Cup[5] and also netted twice in the Premier League, against Southampton[6] and Middlesbrough.[7] Subsequently, he returned to his country and represented Getafe CF and RCD Mallorca, appearing sparingly for the latter club (both in the top level).

32-year-old Yordi slightly revived his career with Xerez CD, in division two. After a poor first season, he was the competition's top scorer in 2007–08, netting 20 goals as the Andalusians barely avoided relegation while also adopting Jorge as his shirt name.[8]

On 19 July 2008, Yordi left Xerez and signed for another side in the region, Córdoba CF (also in the second tier),[9] retiring at the end of the campaign at the age of 34.

Honours

Zaragoza

Blackburn Rovers

Individual

References

  1. ↑ Muñoz, Miguel Ángel (24 June 1997). "Traca final en Madrid" [It ended with a bang in Madrid]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 Ortego, Enrique (1 July 2001). "Zaragoza, no hay quinta Copa mala" [Zaragoza, no such thing as a bad fifth Cup]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Urriza Arpal, Jorge (13 December 2017). "Yo jugué en el Real Zaragoza: Jorge González Díaz, "Yordigol"" [I played for Real Zaragoza: Jorge González Díaz, "Yordigoal"] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  4. ↑ "Yordi joins Blackburn". BBC Sport. 20 February 2002. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Cole strike stuns Spurs". BBC Sport. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Blackburn secure vital win". BBC Sport. 1 April 2002. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  7. ↑ "Blackburn blow Boro away". BBC Sport. 20 April 2002. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  8. 1 2 "Yordi, del Xerez, máximo goleador con 20 tantos" [Yordi, of Xerez, top scorer with 20 goals]. Diario Sur (in Spanish). 15 June 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "Mercado: El Córdoba ficha a Yordi" [Market: Córdoba sign Yordi] (in Spanish). Goal. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  10. ↑ Hall, Andy (18 March 2004). "Galletti gives Zaragoza glory". UEFA. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
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