Keko (footballer, born 1991)

Spanish footballer, born in 1991 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keko (footballer, born 1991)

Sergio Gontán Gallardo (born 27 December 1991), known as Keko, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger.

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Keko
Keko with Valladolid in 2019
Personal information
Full name Sergio Gontán Gallardo
Date of birth (1991-12-27) 27 December 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth Brunete, Spain
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
2004–2008 Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Atlético Madrid B 43 (6)
2009–2011 Atlético Madrid 1 (0)
2010Valladolid (loan) 13 (0)
2010–2011Cartagena (loan) 14 (0)
2011Girona (loan) 11 (0)
2011–2014 Catania 23 (1)
2012Grosseto (loan) 10 (0)
2014–2015 Albacete 33 (6)
2015–2016 Eibar 29 (3)
2016–2020 Málaga 50 (0)
2018–2019Valladolid (loan) 26 (2)
2020–2021 Deportivo La Coruña 23 (2)
2022–2023 Sacramento Republic 63 (9)
International career
2007 Spain U16 4 (0)
2007–2008 Spain U17 11 (5)
2009 Spain U18 3 (1)
2009–2010 Spain U19 10 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner2008 Turkey
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:07, 7 November 2023 (UTC)
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Formed at Atlético Madrid, he made 112 La Liga appearances for that club, Valladolid, Eibar and Málaga. He also played in Serie A for Catania.

Club career

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Perspective

Atlético Madrid

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Keko with Atlético Madrid B in 2009

Keko was born in Brunete, Community of Madrid. A product of local Atlético Madrid's youth ranks, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 12 September 2009, taking the field as a 63rd-minute substitute for Florent Sinama Pongolle in a 1–1 home draw against Racing de Santander, aged just 17. Speaking to Diario AS after the match, he said: "The truth is that I have always dreamed of playing in this stadium, despite the draw, it was a dream come true. I did not think about the protests outside the ground, and I only wanted to score. I hope to have more chances, but I have to be calm and see what the coach decides."[1]

Late in January 2010, Keko was loaned to Real Valladolid in the same league until the end of the season.[2] He made his debut for his new team against Valencia CF, appearing as a late replacement in an eventual 2–0 away loss on 6 February.[3]

Keko split the 2010–11 campaign with two Segunda División sides, FC Cartagena and Girona FC,[4] totalling 25 matches (nine starts, 952 minutes) as both managed to retain their league status.

Catania

On 19 July 2011, after he failed to renew his contract with Atlético Madrid, Keko completed a transfer to Calcio Catania in Italy, signing a three-year deal and being awarded the No. 15 jersey at the Sicilian club.[5] On 7 January 2012, however, along with teammate Fabio Sciacca, he joined Serie B's F.C. Grosseto S.S.D. on loan.[6]

Keko scored on his Serie A debut on 24 February 2013, starting and contributing to a 2–1 away win over Parma FC.[7] In May 2014, he was released; valued at €10 million by Catania, he remained unemployed for nearly four months and hired a personal trainer while contemplating leaving football.[8]

Albacete

On 28 August 2014, Keko signed a 1+1 contract with Albacete Balompié, recently promoted to the second tier.[9] He totalled more than 2,500 minutes of action during his only season, notably scoring a brace in a 3–2 victory at UE Llagostera on 21 May 2015 that confirmed the side's survival.[10]

Eibar

On 9 July 2015, Keko moved to SD Eibar in the top division after agreeing to a two-year contract.[11] He scored his first goal in the competition on 30 December, opening the 2–0 home win against Sporting de Gijón.[12]

Málaga

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Keko (right) and Daniele Verde with Valladolid in 2018

On 21 June 2016, Keko joined Málaga CF on a four-year deal.[13] He appeared in 22 scoreless matches in his first season, helping his team to finish in 11th position.[14]

After suffering relegation, Keko agreed to a one-year loan back at former club Valladolid on 29 July 2018, now in the top flight.[15] On 31 January 2020, he terminated his contract with the Andalusians.[16]

Deportivo

On 31 January 2020, just hours after leaving Málaga, Keko signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Deportivo de La Coruña, still in division two.[17] After relegation, he extended it until 2024.[18]

Keko left the Estadio Riazor in August 2021.[19]

Sacramento Republic

On 11 January 2022, Keko joined Sacramento Republic FC of the USL Championship for the upcoming season.[20] He made his debut for the Californians on 12 March as a late substitute in a 3–1 home defeat of El Paso Locomotive FC, concluding the scoring.[21]

Keko played in the final of the U.S. Open Cup on 7 September, which his team lost 3–0 to Major League Soccer club Orlando City SC, as the third lower-league team to contest the fixture since MLS began in 1996.[22] He left at the end of the 2023 campaign.[23]

International career

Keko participated in the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship with Spain, helping his country to eventual victory in the tournament and scoring in the final, a 4–0 win over France.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 14 March 2021[25][26]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlético Madrid B 2008–09 Segunda División B 273273
2009–10 163163
Total 4360000436
Atlético Madrid 2008–09 La Liga 001010
2009–10 10000010
Total 10100020
Valladolid (loan) 2009–10 La Liga 13000130
Cartagena (loan) 2010–11 Segunda División 14010150
Girona (loan) 2010–11 Segunda División 11000110
Catania 2011–12 Serie A 000000
2012–13 411051
2013–14 19010200
Total 2312000251
Grosseto (loan) 2011–12 Serie B 10000100
Albacete 2014–15 Segunda División 33630366
Eibar 2015–16 La Liga 29330323
Málaga 2016–17 La Liga 22000220
2017–18 21000210
2019–20 Segunda División 700070
Total 5000000500
Valladolid (loan) 2018–19 La Liga 26230292
Total Valladolid 39 2 3 0 0 0 42 2
Deportivo La Coruña 2019–20 Segunda División 700070
2020–21 Segunda División B 11110121
Total 1811000191
Career total 271191400028519
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Honours

Spain

References

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