![]() Sánchez playing for Catalonia in 2013
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Víctor Sánchez Mata | ||
Date of birth | 8 September 1987 | ||
Place of birth | Rubí, Spain | ||
Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in) | ||
Playing position | Midfielder / Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team
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Espanyol | ||
Number | 4 | ||
Youth career | |||
2002–2005 | Europa | ||
2005–2006 | Barcelona | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006–2007 | Barcelona C | 36 | (7) |
2007–2009 | Barcelona B | 45 | (5) |
2008–2011 | Barcelona | 8 | (0) |
2009–2010 | → Xerez (loan) | 25 | (2) |
2010–2011 | → Getafe (loan) | 29 | (1) |
2011 | Neuchâtel Xamax | 14 | (2) |
2012– | Espanyol | 151 | (10) |
National team‡ | |||
2013– | Catalonia | 3 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 January 2017. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 December 2014 |
Víctor Sánchez Mata (born 8 September 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol. A versatile player, he can act as central or defensive midfielder, and is also adaptable to all the defensive positions.
Born in Rubí, Barcelona, Catalonia, Sánchez joined FC Barcelona in July 2005, from neighbouring CE Europa. In the 2006–07 season, while still with the C-team, he played 36 games and scored seven goals. The following campaign he was promoted to the B-squad under Pep Guardiola, helping it promote to Segunda División B by contributing with 31 games and two goals, although he was unable to appear in the play-offs because of injury.
On 2 January 2008 Sánchez made his debut for Barcelona's first team, appearing as a right back in the 2–2 home draw against CD Alcoyano for the Copa del Rey, at the age of 20. His debut in La Liga took place on 18 March, at UD Almería (2–2 draw, one minute played).
With Guardiola in charge of Barça's main squad, Sánchez played in the club's 2008 pre-season. He also appeared in a further seven league matches for the treble champions, but played mainly for the B's.
On 12 August 2009, Sánchez was sent on loan to newly promoted side Xerez CD, on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club on 28 March 2010, in a 3–0 home victory against Real Valladolid. For 2010–11 he was loaned again, joining Madrid's Getafe CF in a season-long move; again, he was put to use in several defensive positions, as the team narrowly avoided top flight relegation.