Ángel Brau

Miguel Ángel Brau Puente (born 24 June 1975), known as Ángel Brau, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a central defender or central midfielder. He made four appearances in La Liga with Albacete Balompié during the 1995–96 season.

Career Albacete Balompié

Brau was born in Cartagena in the Region of Murcia, They finished second in their play-off group, losing to San Pedro.

Brau was recalled to Albacete for the 1995–96 La Liga campaign, and made his debut in the opening match of the season, a 3–0 away loss to Sporting de Gijón at El Molinón on 2 September. This was a false dawn, however, and Brau was used sparingly, having to wait until 27 March for his next appearance, in a 3–2 away win over Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarín. This marked the start of a short run in the team, and he made his home debut three days later in a 1–0 defeat by Barcelona at Estadio Carlos Belmonte. He finished the season with four appearances, also playing in another 1–0 loss to Valencia at Mestalla Stadium on 7 April. Albacete were relegated at the end of the season, via a play-off with Extremadura.

Brau played just once in the second tier the following season, being withdrawn after less than half an hour of a 2–2 home draw with Real Madrid B in favour of Manolo Salvador. He was sent back to Hellín in the second half of the season, before leaving the club completely in the summer. coming off the bench in place of Quinton Fortune with 25 minutes to play. He was used primarily as a substitute, and had to wait until 6 December for his first start, which came in a 1–0 defeat at the hands of Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Teresa Rivero. 2000–01 saw only 21 appearances, but the following season was undoubtedly his best with the club.

Later career

For 2002–03, Brau joined another Segunda División B side, Figueres. Figueres finished the season in 16th place, meaning they would have to play a relegation playoff.

Brau played in both legs against Calahorra as Figueres won 3–0 on aggregate to retain their place in the third tier. He came on for Miguel Salas with 25 minutes to play in the 2–0 loss. He then rejoined Horadada, with whom he completed two further Tercera División campaigns before retiring in 2006.

Personal life Brau's father, also called Miguel Ángel, was a footballer too. Like his son, Brau senior played for Horadada at the end of his career, including a season in Segunda División B in 1992–93. His brother, Salva, younger by two and a half years, was his teammate at Cartagonova during the 1999–2000 season. In 2020, his son became the third Miguel Ángel Brau to play football professionally, with Recreativo Granada in Segunda División B.

Honours Hellín Deportivo Primera Autonómica Preferente de Castilla-La Mancha: 1993–94 Tercera División: 1994–95

Cartagonova Segunda División B runners-up: 1998–99

Career statistics

1. Appearances in the 2002–03 Segunda División B relegation playoff