Dídac Vilà

In this Catalan name, the first or paternal surname is Vilà and the second or maternal family name is Rosselló; both are generally joined by the conjunction "i".

Dídac Vilà Rosselló (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈdiðəɡ biˈla];^{[lower-alpha 1]} born 9 June 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back.

Dídac Vilà

Vilà before a game with Spain U21 in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Dídac Vilà Rosselló[1]
Date of birth	(1989-06-09) 9 June 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth	Mataró, Spain
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s)	Left-back
Youth career
1998–1999	Mataró
1999–2008	Espanyol
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2010	Espanyol B	40	(3)
2009–2011	Espanyol	24	(0)
2011–2015	AC Milan	1	(0)
2011–2012	→ Espanyol (loan)	37	(2)
2013–2014	→ Betis (loan)	12	(0)
2014–2015	→ Eibar (loan)	15	(0)
2015–2017	AEK Athens	58	(3)
2017–2022	Espanyol	99	(0)
International career‡
2008	Spain U19	2	(0)
2009	Spain U20	6	(0)
2011	Spain U21	8	(0)
2012	Spain U23	1	(0)
2011–	Catalonia	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:53, 1 July 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2019

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Mataró, Barcelona, Catalonia,^[2] Vilà joined local RCD Espanyol's youth system at the age of 10, making his senior debut in 2008–09 and helping the reserves promote from the Tercera División, as champions.^[3][4] He was promoted to the first team by manager Mauricio Pochettino, making his La Liga debut on 30 January 2010 in a 1–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao (which, in his own words, came as a "surprise")^[5][6] and ending his first professional season with 11 league games, starting and playing all the minutes in every match as the Pericos finished in mid-table. Previously, he appeared with the main squad in the 2008 final of the Copa Catalunya, lost 2–1 to UE Sant Andreu,^[7] and signed a five-year contract with the club shortly after.^[8]

After missing the first months of the 2010–11 campaign due to physical problems,^[9][10] Vilà once again gained first-choice status, taking over longtime incumbent – and fellow youth graduate – David García.

AC Milan

On 28 January 2011, Vilà was bought by AC Milan in Serie A for a reported €3 million.^[11][12] After only one official appearance for the Italians (the 0–0 draw away to Udinese Calcio),^[13] and subsequently being highly critical of coach Massimiliano Allegri,^[14] he returned to Espanyol in early June 2011 in a season-long loan.^[15] He only missed one match during the league campaign,^[16] scoring twice but in as many away losses.^[17][18]

Vilà was set to join Valencia CF on loan at the beginning of 2012–13 with the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season,^[19][20] but the deal fell apart as he did not pass the required medical exams.^[21][22] Subsequently, the player underwent surgery,^[23][24] failing to play in a competitive match for the Rossoneri.

For the 2013–14 campaign, Vilà moved to Real Betis on loan,^[25] again being bothered by physical problems – including a leg fracture.^[26] After the Andalusians' relegation he subsequently returned to Milan, and joined SD Eibar on 26 August 2014 also in a temporary deal.^[27] After fully recovering he suffered a thigh injury,^[28] going on to feature in 16 games in all competitions.

AEK Athens

On 7 August 2015, AEK Athens F.C. announced the signing of Vilà on a three-year deal,^[29] with the player stating he hoped this move would see him return to his old form.^[30] He played understudy to Aristidis Soiledis during the first part of the season^[31] but eventually became the starter, impressing manager Gus Poyet for his professionalism in training.^[32]

Vilà started 2016–17's domestic league with a goal, contributing to a 4–1 home victory over Xanthi FC.^[33]

Espanyol return

On 30 August 2017, Vilà returned to his first club Espanyol after agreeing to a three-year deal, with a €25 million buy-out clause.^[34][35]

International career

In 2011, Vilà received his first Spain under-21 call-up. That year, he was selected by manager Luis Milla to the UEFA European Championship in Denmark, playing all the matches and minutes for the eventual champions.^[36]

Career statistics

As of 1 July 2021^[37]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Espanyol B	2008–09	Tercera División	30	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	33	3
	2009–10	Segunda Division	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
	Total		40	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	43	3
Espanyol	2008–09	La Liga	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2009–10	La Liga	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
	2010–11	La Liga	13	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
	Total		24	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	28	0
AC Milan	2010–11	Serie A	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2012–13	Serie A	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Espanyol (loan)	2011–12	La Liga	37	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	40	3
Betis (loan)	2013–14	La Liga	12	0	2	0	0	0	6	1	20	1
Eibar (loan)	2014–15	La Liga	15	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
AEK Athens	2015–16	Super League Greece	26	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
	2016–17	Super League Greece	32	3	8	0	0	0	2	0	42	3
	Total		58	3	13	0	0	0	2	0	73	3
Espanyol	2017–18	La Liga	14	0	6	0	—		—		20	0
	2018–19	La Liga	27	0	2	0	—		—		29	0
	2019–20	La Liga	30	0	0	0	—		11	1	41	1
	2020–21	Segunda División	19	0	3	0	—		—		22	0
	Total		90	0	11	0	0	0	11	1	112	1
Career total			277	8	35	1	0	0	19	2	331	11

Honours

Espanyol B

• Tercera División: 2008–09

AC Milan

• Serie A: 2010–11

AEK Athens

• Greek Football Cup: 2015–16

Espanyol

• Segunda División: 2020–21^[38]

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2011^[36]

Spain U20

• Mediterranean Games: 2009^[39]

Notes

1. In isolation, Dídac is pronounced [ˈdiðək].

References

1. "Dídac". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
2. Soriano Fiérrez, Aida (22 February 2008). "Dídac Vila: "La Selección Española es el premio al gran esfuerzo y al trabajo"" [Dídac Vila: "The Spain national team is the reward to great effort and work"] (in Spanish). Capgròs. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
3. "El Espanyol B ya es campeón de Tercera" [Espanyol B are already Tercera champions]. Sport (in Spanish). 4 May 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
4. "Gimnástica y Espanyol B son ya equipos de Segunda B" [Gimnástica and Espanyol B are already Segunda B teams]. Marca (in Spanish). 31 May 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
5. "Garcia makes the difference". ESPN Soccernet. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
6. "Dídac Vilà: "No me esperaba debutar"" [Dídac Vilà: "I did not expect to make debut"]. Marca (in Spanish). 31 January 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
7. "El Sant Andreu deja al Espanyol sin Copa Cataluña" [Sant Andreu leave Espanyol without Catalonia Cup]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
8. "El canterano Dídac Vila renueva por cinco temporadas" [Youth system player Dídac Vila renews for five seasons]. Marca (in Spanish). 9 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
9. "El defensa Dídac Vilà, operado de una hernia abdominal" [Defender Dídac Vilà, surgery for abdominal hernia]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 25 May 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
10. "Galán ha sido operado con éxito de su fractura del peroné derecho" [Successful right fibula surgery for Galán]. Marca (in Spanish). 5 October 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
11. "Dídac Vila, sold to AC Milan". RCD Espanyol. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
12. "Milan: accordo per Didac Vilà" [Milan: agreement for Didac Vilà] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
13. De Stefano, Gaetano (22 May 2011). "Udine, festa Champions – Basta lo 0–0 con il Milan" [Udine, Champions party – 0–0 with Milan is enough]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
14. "Milan, Didac Vilà:- 'Ce l'ho con Allegri'" [Milan, Didac Vilà:- 'I got it with Allegri'] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
15. Torres, María Carmen (8 June 2011). "El Espanyol oficializa el acuerdo con el Milan por Dídac" [Espanyol make agreement with Milan for Dídac official]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
16. "Cata Díaz, único en jugar todos los minutos de Liga" [Cata Díaz, only one to play every League minute]. Marca (in Spanish). 18 February 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
17. "Arda the artist in Atleti victory". ESPN Soccernet. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
18. "Ighalo brace boosts Granada". ESPN Soccernet. 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
19. "Valencia sign Dídac on loan from Milan". ESPN Star Sports. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
20. "Comunicado oficial" [Official announcement] (in Spanish). Valencia CF. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
21. "Dídac: A.C. Milan comunicato ufficiale" [Dídac: A.C. Milan official announcement] (in Italian). A.C. Milan. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
22. "Valencia call off Dídac deal". ESPN Soccernet. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
23. "Milan: 137 infortuni con Allegri" [Milan: 137 mishaps with Allegri] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
24. "Dídac Vilà: Comunicato ufficiale A.C. Milan" [Dídac Vilà: A.C. Milan official announcement] (in Italian). A.C. Milan. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
25. "El Real Betis incorpora a sus filas a Dídac" [Real Betis add Dídac to their ranks] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
26. "Dídac se pierde la temporada y Caro, baja un mes y medio" [Dídac misses the season and Caro, one and a half months out]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 17 March 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
27. "El Eibar anuncia la cesión por una temporada de Didác Vilá, procedente del Milan" [Eibar announce loan of Didác Vilá for one year, from Milan] (in Spanish). SD Eibar. 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
28. "Dídac pasa por el quirófano" [Dídac visits surgery room]. Marca (in Spanish). 19 November 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
29. "Didac completes AEK move". SDNA. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
30. Sarris, Thanos (8 August 2015). "Ο Ντίντακ της... Εσπανιόλ θα κάνει θραύση!" (in Greek). Gazzetta. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
31. Tsilis, Kostas (28 September 2015). "Ο "κόμβος" της Βέροιας" [Veria's "hub"] (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
32. Tsilis, Kostas (16 November 2015). "Γύρισαν όπως τους ήθελε ο Πογέτ" (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
33. Kaperonis, Sarantos (11 September 2016). "Welcome to AEK Hugo Almeida". Agona Sport. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
34. "Dídac Vilà, the seventh signing!". RCD Espanyol. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
35. Tempelis, Vasilis (30 August 2017). "Στην Εσπανιόλ ο Ντίντακ με ρήτρα 25.000.000 ευρώ" [In Espanyol, Dídac with a 25 million euros clause] (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
36. Gustems, Pol (25 June 2011). "España sub-21, campeona de Europa: El ciclo continúa" [Spain under-21, European champions: The cycle continues] (in Spanish). Diarios de Fútbol. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
37. "Dídac Vilá". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
38. "El Espanyol cae como campeón ante un Alcorcón salvado" [Espanyol fall as champions against saved Alcorcón]. Sport (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
39. "ITA – ESP 1:2 (0:0)" (PDF). Pescara 2009. 4 July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

External links

• Dídac Vilà at BDFutbol
• Dídac Vilà – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Official website