Jorge Martínez (footballer, born April 1983)
Jorge Andrés Martínez Barrios (born 5 April 1983) is a Uruguayan footballer who last played as a midfielder for Juventud de Las Piedras. Club career Montevideo Wanderers Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Martínez began his footballing career with Primera División Uruguaya team Montevideo Wanderers F.C., where he spent several seasons with the youth squad, before moving to the senior squad in 2000. In his first season with the club, the striker managed 23 first team appearances, before making an additional 33 league appearances in which he also accounted for 2 league goals. In his third season, with the Montevideo-based team, Martínez was shifted into a more attacking role, and scored 7 goals in 26 league starts. His next two seasons at the club, were hampered by injuries as the young striker managed just 22 appearances, scoring 2 goals. During the 2006 winter transfer market, Martínez transferred away from his hometown club, after scoring 4 goals in just 11 appearances. The young Uruguayan transferred to Club Nacional de Football in 2006, after six first team seasons with the Wanderers. Club Nacional After transferring to Club Nacional de Football, Martínez quickly adapted to his new team, but was limited to 15 appearances and 3 goals in the league. His second season proved to be much more successful, as the player made over 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals, 6 of which from league play. His impressive form during the 2006–07 season led to a transfer to Europe with Sicilian giants Calcio Catania of the Italian Serie A. Calcio Catania Martínez officially transferred to the Italian Serie A on 2 August 2007 for €3.2 million, when he was officially presented by Calcio Catania prior to the start of the 2007–08 Serie A season. His debut performance came as a 56th-minute substitute in a 0–0 home draw against Genoa C.F.C. on 2 September 2007. He followed his debut up with two starting appearances, though he was substituted in both of them. Martínez did mark his first start, against Empoli F.C. on 26 September 2007, by scoring the winning goal in the 48th minute at his home stadium, the Stadio Angelo Massimino, with an assist from teammate Giacomo Tedesco. In his first season with the club, Martinez, managed 31 total appearances under then-coach Silvio Baldini. He scored 8 league goals, along with 3 goals in the 2007–08 Coppa Italia. Martinez notably saved Catania from relegation on the final day of the 2007–2008 Serie A season, by scoring the equalizer against Scudetto hopefuls AS Roma, leveling the score at 1–1. The result, ensured Catania's stay in the Italian top flight, deeming Empoli to relegation, and also guaranteed that Roma would not win the 2007–08 Scudetto. His second season proved to be just as successful as his first season, as the Uruguayan continued his good form under new coach Walter Zenga. Catania comfortably avoided relegation, and Martinez managed nearly 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring 8 goals in the process. During the 2009–10 season, Martinez was