Arnau Martínez

Arnau Martínez López (born 25 April 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Valencia. Mainly a right-back, he can also play as a centre-back.

Club career Early career Born in Premià de Dalt, Barcelona, Catalonia, Martínez joined FC Barcelona's La Masia in 2010, after playing for CE Premià de Dalt. He left the club in 2016, and represented CE L'Hospitalet before moving to Girona FC in September 2018.

Girona On 29 November 2020, after renewing his contract until 2023, Martínez made his senior debut with the reserves, starting in a 2–2 Tercera División away draw against UE Sant Andreu. He made his first team debut on 17 December, coming on as a second-half substitute for Enric Franquesa in a 2–0 away win against Gimnástica Segoviana CF, for the season's Copa del Rey.

Martínez made his professional debut on 7 January 2021, again replacing Franquesa in a 2–1 home win against CD Lugo, also for the national cup. His Segunda División debut occurred on 28 March, as he started in a 2–1 home success over Albacete Balompié.

Martínez subsequently established himself as a starter, and scored his first professional goal on 9 May 2021 by netting the opener in a 4–1 away routing of UD Logroñés; aged 18 years and 14 days, he became the youngest goalscorer of the club's history. He finished the 2021–22 campaign with two goals in 42 appearances overall, as the club achieved promotion to La Liga.

Martínez made his debut in the main category of Spanish football on 14 August 2022, replacing Yan Couto late into a 1–0 away loss to Valencia CF. He scored his first goal in the top tier on 18 September, but in a 2–1 loss at Real Betis.

Martínez lost his starting spot to new signings Daley Blind and Eric Garcia during the 2023–24 season as the club qualified to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, but still renewed his contract until 2027 on 13 August 2024.

Valencia On 26 August 2026, after suffering relegation with Girona, Martínez was announced at Valencia in the top tier on a five-year deal.

Career statistics