Arnau Puigmal

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Puigmal and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.

Arnau Puigmal Martínez (Catalan pronunciation: [pudʒˈmal]; born 10 January 2001) is a Spanish footballer who plays for UD Almería. Mainly a midfielder, he can also play as a right-back or a right winger

Arnau Puigmal

Puigmal in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Arnau Puigmal Martínez
Date of birth	(2001-01-10) 10 January 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Barcelona, Spain
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Almería
Number	2
Youth career
	PB Sant Cugat
2010–2017	Espanyol
2017–2021	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2021	Manchester United	0	(0)
2021–	Almería	66	(6)
2024	→ Elche (loan)	13	(0)
International career
2017–2018	Spain U17	6	(1)
2019	Spain U18	4	(1)
2019–2020	Spain U19	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2024

Club career

Early career

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Puigmal joined RCD Espanyol's youth setup in 2010, from Penya Blaugrana Sant Cugat del Vallès.^[2] In May 2017, after impressing with the Cadet A squad, he signed a contract with Manchester United.^[3][4]

Manchester United

Puigmal arrived at United in the 2017 summer, and played for the under-18s before signing his first professional contract on 12 January 2018.^[5] He was promoted to the under-23s in 2019, and played his first senior match with the side on 1 October of that year, as he started as a right back in a 1–0 away win over Lincoln City, for the season's EFL Trophy.^[6]

Puigmal scored his first senior goal on 9 September 2020, netting the second in a 6–0 away success over Salford City.^[7] The following 4 June, he was one of the eight players released by the club as his contract was due to expire.^[8]

Almería

On 9 July 2021, free agent Puigmal signed a five-year contract with Segunda División side UD Almería.^[9][10] He made his professional debut on 16 August, coming on as a late substitute for goalscorer Largie Ramazani in a 3–1 away win over FC Cartagena.^[11]

During a match against RCD Mallorca in the 2022–23 La Liga season, Puigmal shoved opponent Lee Kang-in to the ground for dribbling the ball to the corner flag. Puigmal then grabbed Lee's head while on the ground and shoved him multiple times. Puigmal was given a yellow card for his aggressive behavior.^{[citation needed]}

Loan to Elche

On 31 January 2024, Puigmal was loaned to Elche CF in the second division until the end of the campaign, with a buyout clause.^[12]

International career

Puigmal represented Spain at under-17, under-18 and under-19 levels.^[13]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 August 2023^[14]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester United U23	2019–20	—	—		—		—		—		2[lower-alpha 1]	0	2	0
	2020–21		—		—		—		—		3[lower-alpha 1]	1	3	1
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	5	1
Almería	2021–22	Segunda División	33	5	1	0	—		—		—		34	5
	2022–23	La Liga	22	1	1	0	—		—		—		23	1
	2023–24	La Liga	1	0	0	0	—		—		—		1	0
	Total		56	6	2	0	—		—		—		58	6
Career total			56	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	63	7

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Almería

• Segunda División: 2021–22

References

1. "Arnau Puigmal" (in Spanish). UD Almería. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
2. Sergio Santos Chozas (20 April 2020). "Cracks del Siglo XXI: Puigmal encandiló a Mourinho" [Stars of the XXIst century]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
3. Jack de Menezes (19 May 2017). "Manchester United sign Espanyol wonderkid Arnau Puigmal in first transfer of the summer". The Independent. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
4. Rogé, Albert (19 May 2017). "El United de Mourinho ficha a la perla del RCD Espanyol" [Mourinho's United sign the pearl of RCD Espanyol]. Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
5. Marshall, Adam (12 January 2018). "Hot prospect Puigmal signs pro deal at United". Manchester United FC. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
6. Butler, Cliff (1 October 2019). "Garner strike secures second cup win". Manchester United FC. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
7. Plant, Michael (9 September 2020). "Manchester United Under-21s hit six at Salford". Manchester United FC. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
8. "Confirmed: Eight players to leave the club". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
9. "UD Almeria welcome midfield maestro Arnau Puigmal". UD Almería. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
10. "Puigmal, segundo refuerzo del Almería" [Puigmal, second addition of Almería]. Marca (in Spanish). 9 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
11. "El Almería presenta sus credenciales desde el minuto 1" [Almería present their credentials from the minute 1]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
12. "Arnau Puigmal se marcha cedido al Elche CF" [Arnau Puigmal moves out on loan to Elche CF] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
13. "OFICIAL | Convocatoria de la Sub-19 de Santi Denia para dos partidos amistosos ante Azerbaiyán y Escocia" [OFFICIAL | Call-up of Santi Denia's Under-19 for the friendly matches against Azerbaijan and Scotland] (in Spanish). seFutbol. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
14. Arnau Puigmal at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 July 2021.

External links

• Arnau Puigmal at BDFutbol