Sergio Asenjo

Sergio Asenjo Andrés (Spanish pronunciation: ; born 28 June 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Valladolid as a goalkeeper. He started his professional career with Valladolid in 2007, making 47 senior appearances in his first spell. He then moved to Atlético Madrid in 2009 and spent five seasons with the club, during which he was also loaned to Málaga and Villarreal before signing for the latter on a permanent deal in 2014; his career was marred by several knee injuries. Asenjo was a Spanish international, making a single appearance for the senior side in 2016. He previously represented the nation at various youth levels. In 2006, Asenjo was selected to the Spain under-17 side as they took home the bronze medal in the UEFA European Championship. He started in all of the matches, except the third-place play-off. Asenjo was again called up for the 2007 Under-19 European Championship: in the qualification rounds his role in the team was quite insignificant, but his status changed in the semi-final against France, replacing the injured starter and saving two penalties in the shootout as the country progressed to the final, where he appeared against Greece with another excellent display for a 1–0 win. Asenjo made his under-21 debut in late August 2008, and was first choice at the 2009 European Championships. He also played at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. In March 2015, Asenjo received his first ever callup to the senior national team, being named in Vicente del Bosque's squad for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly with the Netherlands. He did not make his debut until 29 May the following year, in a 3–1 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland; he was the first footballer from Palencia to win a cap since Jesús Landáburu 36 years prior.