Full name Fernando Varela Ramos 1996–2000 Betis B Career start 1996 Years Team Height 1.80 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Fernando Ramos Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1979-09-01) 1 September 1979 (age 36) | ||
Place of birth Dos Hermanas, Spain | ||
Fernando Varela Ramos (born 1 September 1979) is a Spanish retired footballer. Mainly a right midfielder he could also operate as an attacking right back, being noted for his long-range strikes.
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Over the course of 11 seasons he amassed La Liga totals of 257 games and 13 goals, in representation of Betis and Mallorca. He won one Copa del Rey with the former club.
Betis
Born in Dos Hermanas, Province of Seville, Varela was a youth player at local Real Betis, and made his first-team – and La Liga – debut in 1996–97's closing stages, in a 1–1 away draw against Valencia CF. In the 2001–02 season, after a six-month stint with second division club CF Extremadura, he established himself definitely with the main squad, appearing in 25 league games.
In six full campaigns with Betis, Varela only scored three goals combined, but they were noted as some of the best in the Andalusians' history, including once against FC Barcelona where, from his own half, he dribbled past five opponents struck the ball into the top corner with his left foot (2002–03), and a fantastic left-footed volley against city rivals Sevilla FC in 2005–06.
Mallorca
Varela moved to RCD Mallorca for 2006–07: he had a slow start, which culminated in two red cards in the first 11 matches. However, towards the end of the season he was fully reinstated as right midfielder, being more involved in the team's offense; he netted three times, including one against Real Madrid on the final matchday as the hosts eventually won 3–1 and conquered the league title.
The following campaign, incidentally against Real Madrid, Varela scored twice, but Mallorca lost again in Spain's capital (3–4), on 11 November 2007. In 2009–10, as the Balearic Islands club finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, he lost his importance in the team and only appeared in 15 league contests whilst completing just three, due to both injuries and the emergence of Uruguayan Gonzalo Castro.
Later years
In July 2010, at nearly 31, Varela left his country for the first time, joining Turkish side Kasımpaşa SK.