Sergio Asenjo

Sergio Asenjo Andrés (born 28 June 1989) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Málaga CF, as a goalkeeper. Born in Palencia, Castile and León, Asenjo began playing in Real Valladolid junior teams, and soon emerged as one of the most talented players in the club. He started the 2007–08 season playing for the reserve team, in the third division, which had just barely avoided 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 make a debut in La Liga, and his first appearance proved a very successful one, as he kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 home win over Villarreal CF, on 12 December 2007. Following great performances, where he conceded one goal in his first five matches, Asenjo retained his starting job, becoming the youngest league goalkeeper that season. In January 2008, he signed his first professional contract, agreeing to extend his former youth contract with Valladolid for another three years, while also increasing his wage. Asenjo would eventually play in the remaining league matches, retaining his position throughout 2008–09. However, he also missed three months of action, due to a knee injury. On 8 July 2009, Asenjo transferred to Atlético Madrid for a fee of €5 million, signing a four-year contract. He started the season as first-choice but, after some costly mistakes - and a change of coach in November 2009 - lost his position to younger David de Gea. On 8 May 2010, in one of his few appearances after being relegated to the bench, Asenjo suffered a serious knee injury which sidelined him until November. Late in the following month, after having found himself as third-choice with the Colchoneros, he was loaned to Málaga CF until the end of the season, with teammate Ignacio Camacho also making the move, in a permanent deal.