Full name Jesus Unanua Becerril 1988–1989 Osasuna B Position Goalkeeper Years Team Height 1.80 m | Playing position Role Footballer Place of birth Pamplona, Spain Name Jesus Unanua | |
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Date of birth (1969-06-23) 23 June 1969 (age 46) | ||
Jesús Unanua Becerril (born 23 June 1969) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Unanua played 204 Segunda División games over the course of ten seasons, in representation of six teams. In La Liga he was almost exclusively a backup, appearing in the competition with Osasuna, Albacete and Villarreal.
Football career
Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Unanua began his professional career with hometown's CA Osasuna, playing 13 La Liga games in the 1989–90 season. However, he never managed to become first-choice during his early years, and, after a loan spell at Albacete Balompié (also as backup), he returned to his first club, being once again barred, now by youngster Javier López Vallejo, another club youth graduate.
After three seasons at second division team CD Leganés, Unanua moved to Villarreal CF also in the category, achieving promotion in his first year although he played in no matches, being once again cast aside by Vallejo whom signed at the same time – both players lost importance in the 2002–03 campaign, after the arrival of FC Barcelona's Pepe Reina.
Unanua played the most he had in years in 2003–04 as he helped Xerez CD to a ninth-place, out of 22 clubs. He continued his career also in the second level, with Elche CF.
In 2006, Unanua dropped down to division three but stayed in the Valencian Community, joining Alicante CF. In his first year he helped the side return to the second tier after 52 years, and won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for the season in the category, with only 19 goals conceded in 35 games.
On 17 June 2009, Unanua announced his retirement from professional football. He played his last match on the 20th between already relegated teams Alicante and Sevilla Atlético (3–3), three days shy of his 40th birthday.