David López (footballer, born 1982)
David López Moreno (born 10 September 1982) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for UD Caravaca as a midfielder. He amassed La Liga totals of 196 matches and 23 goals over eight seasons, for Osasuna (three years) and Athletic Bilbao (five). He also spent two years in the English Championship with Brighton & Hove Albion. Club career Osasuna López was born in Logroño, La Rioja. A product of CA Osasuna's youth ranks, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 17 October 2004 in a 3–2 home win against Albacete Balompié, and finished his first season with 13 games and one goal, scored in his first appearance. The following campaign, López was an undisputed starter as the Navarrese side achieved a first-ever qualification for the UEFA Champions League. The player contributed six goals to this feat, including a crucial one in the last matchday, a 2–1 home victory over Valencia CF. As Osasuna were relegated to the UEFA Cup, López appeared 11 in matches in the team's semi-finals run, netting in 3–0 away defeats of Parma FC (twice) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Athletic Bilbao In summer 2007, López signed with neighbours Athletic Bilbao for around €6 million. His competitive debut was on 28 August in a 0–0 home draw against his former team, and he was first-choice in his first two years, totalling 60 league matches; in his second he helped the Basques to narrowly avoid relegation, scoring at Recreativo de Huelva (1–1), and at home against Sporting de Gijón (3–0) and Racing de Santander (2–1, through a penalty). López netted six goals from 28 appearances in 2010–11 to match the highest total in his career, but he became a fringe player for the Lions after the arrival of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as club manager. On 31 August 2012, his contract with Athletic was rescinded by mutual consent. Brighton & Hove Albion Immediately after being released, López transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship, signing a one-year contract. During his spell at the Falmer Stadium, he was nicknamed 'Spanish Dave'. Later years After leaving England at the age of 32, López spent three full seasons in his country's Segunda División, first with CD Lugo and then SD Huesca. Subsequently, he took his game to the lower leagues. Honours Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey runner-up: 2008–09, 2011–12 Supercopa de España runner-up: 2009 UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2011–12 References External links 1982 births Living people Spanish men's footballers Footballers from Logroño Men's association football midfielders La Liga players Segunda División players Segunda División B players Tercera División players Tercera Federación players Divisiones Regionales de Fútbol players CA Osasuna B players CA Osasuna players Athletic Bilbao footballers CD Lugo players SD Huesca footballers UCAM Murcia CF players Novelda CF players CF Intercity players CD Eldense footballers English Football League players Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Kings League players Spanish expatriate men's footballers Expatriate men's footballers in England Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England