Full name Victor Sanchez Mata Playing position 2002–2005 Europa Role Footballer Weight 72 kg | Place of birth Rubi, Spain Number 4 Name Victor Mata Height 1.74 m Career start 2006 | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 28) Current team RCD Espanyol (#4 / Midfielder) Profiles | ||
Víctor Sánchez Mata (born 8 September 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol. A versatile player, he can act as central or defensive midfielder, and is also adaptable to all the defensive positions.
Contents
Club career
Born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia, and raised in neighbouring Rubí, Sánchez began playing football with local UE Rubí, followed by spells with UFB Jàbac Terrassa and CE Europa, before joining FC Barcelona's youth ranks in 2005. In the 2006–07 season, while still with the C-side, he played 36 games and scored seven goals. The following campaign he was promoted to the reserves under Pep Guardiola, helping them promote to Segunda División B by contributing with 31 games and two goals, although he was unable to appear in the play-offs because of injury.
On 2 January 2008, Sánchez made his debut for Barcelona's first team, appearing as a right back in the 2–2 home draw against CD Alcoyano for the Copa del Rey, at the age of 20. His maiden appearance in La Liga took place on 18 March, at UD Almería (2–2 draw, one minute played).
With Guardiola in charge of Barça's main squad, Sánchez played in the club's 2008 pre-season. He also appeared in a further seven league matches for the treble champions, but played mainly for the B's.
On 12 August 2009, Sánchez was sent on loan to newly promoted Xerez CD, on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the team on 28 March 2010, in a 3–0 home victory against Real Valladolid. For 2010–11 he was loaned again, joining Madrid's Getafe CF in a season-long move; again, he was put to use in several defensive positions, as the latter narrowly avoided top flight relegation.
In late June 2011, Sánchez and Barcelona mutually agreed to terminate the contract that linked the player to the club. On the 29th, he signed a two-year contract in Swiss Super League's Neuchâtel Xamax.
In the last minutes of the 2012 winter transfer window Sánchez returned to his country, penning a three-and-a-half-years deal with Barcelona neighbours RCD Espanyol.