Place of birth Alicante, Spain Name Miguel las Career start 2003 1993–2000 Kelme Weight 69 kg | Number 7 Height 1.75 m Playing position Role Footballer | |
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Full name Miguel Angel de las Cuevas Barbera Date of birth (1986-06-19) 19 June 1986 (age 29) Current team Spezia Calcio (#7 / Midfielder) Profiles | ||
Miguel de las cuevas highlights
Miguel Ángel de las Cuevas Barberá (born 19 June 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for CA Osasuna. A versatile midfield element, he can play both in the wings and behind the forwards, but usually occupies the attacking midfielder position.
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Miguel de las cuevas
Club career
Born in Alicante, Valencian Community, de las Cuevas started his professional career with hometown club Hércules CF, in the third division. In the 2004–05 season, he was instrumental as the team achieved promotion to the second level after a six-year-absence.
For the 2006–07 campaign, de las Cuevas signed with Atlético Madrid. During preseason, on 13 August, in the Teresa Herrera Trophy match against Club Nacional de Football, he suffered a serious ankle injury that kept him out of action for more than one year.
De las Cuevas finally made his debut for the Colchoneros on 12 December 2007, playing the second half in a Copa del Rey away game against Granada 74 CF, in the round-of-32. He appeared in 13 La Liga matches in his first season after returning from injury, 12 as a substitute.
On 25 June 2009, after producing slightly the same numbers with Atlético, de las Cuevas moved to fellow top level side Sporting de Gijón on a four-year deal – however, Atlético retained an option to rebuy in the first three. He had a breakthrough season in 2009–10, ranking second in goals in the team; highlights included braces against RCD Mallorca (4–1), Athletic Bilbao (2–1, away) and one against former club Atlético (1–1), the goal that certified Sporting's permanence in the top flight for a further year, on 8 May 2010.
Still under manager Manuel Preciado, de las Cuevas was again an undisputed starter for Gijón in the 2010–11 season. On 2 April 2011, he scored the only goal in a win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, ending José Mourinho's record of nine years and 150 matches unbeaten at home; he only missed one league match and added six goals, in another final escape from relegation.
On 11 January 2013, de las Cuevas was loaned to CA Osasuna thus returning to the top flight. The move was made permanent in late May after the Navarrese managed to retain their status, with a €1.2 million fee being paid in equal shares to Atlético and Sporting.
On 29 January 2015, de las Cuevas terminated his contract that ran until June 2016, and moved abroad for the first time in his career at the age of 28, signing with Spezia Calcio in Italy. His first game in the Serie B occurred on 14 February, as he featured 73 minutes in a 0–0 draw at Carpi F.C. 1909.
In late September 2015, de las Cuevas successfully underwent surgery to his heart after an anomaly was detected. He was sidelined for six months.
On 1 February 2016, de las Cuevas returned to Osasuna on a free transfer.