David Rodríguez Sánchez

David Rodríguez Sánchez (born 14 February 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward.

He amassed Segunda División totals of 392 games and 124 goals over 12 seasons, representing Ciudad de Murcia, Salamanca, Celta, Sporting de Gijón, Alcorcón, Osasuna, Numancia and Racing de Santander in the competition. He added 14 matches in La Liga (one goal), and also played professionally in England with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Club career Rodríguez was born in Talavera de la Reina, Province of Toledo. After leaving Atlético Madrid's youth academy, he started professionally with Ciudad de Murcia in the Segunda División. However, the lack of playing time for the Colchoneros first team made him drop down to Segunda División B in January 2006, as he moved to UD Las Palmas.

In the 2006–07 season, Rodríguez returned to Atlético to play with the reserves and rank as their top scorer, a feat which he repeated the following campaign with UD Salamanca in the second division. Such solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, moving for €400.000 to UD Almería; before 2008–09 began, however, he was loaned to RC Celta de Vigo, returning the following summer to Andalusia.

Rodríguez made his top-flight debut on 30 August 2009, appearing in a 0–0 home draw against Real Valladolid. On 22 November, he scored after just five minutes on the pitch but Almería lost 3–1 at RCD Mallorca, and the player was only the fourth of fifth attacking option at the club during the season.

On 17 July 2010, after having been suspended by Almería, Rodríguez signed for Celta permanently, penning a four-year contract. In the first year of his second spell he netted 17 goals, leading the Galicians to the sixth position in the regular season and the subsequent promotion playoffs.

On 29 August 2012, having contributed nine goals in 28 matches to Celta's promotion, Rodríguez signed for second tier side Sporting de Gijón. He scored his first goal for his new team on 9 September, opening in a 1–1 home draw against CD Lugo.

Rodríguez terminated his contract at Celta on 30 January 2014, completing a move to English club Brighton & Hove Albion the following day. He made his debut in the Championship two days later, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 loss at Watford.

On 18 July 2014, free agent Rodríguez joined AD Alcorcón. He scored a career-best 20 goals in his debut season, helping to a final 11th position in division two.

Rodríguez scored his first hat-trick as a professional on 24 October 2015, in a 6–1 home demolition of UE Llagostera. On 30 June 2017, after 52 overall goals for the Alfareros, he signed a three-year contract with CA Osasuna in the same league, for €350,000.

On 30 January 2019, Rodríguez was loaned to CD Numancia also of the second division until June. Upon returning to the El Sadar Stadium, he terminated his contract on 1 July, and agreed to a one-year deal at Racing de Santander on 20 August.

Rodríguez competed in the lower leagues until his retirement, representing Racing de Ferrol, CF Rayo Majadahonda and CD Atlético Baleares.

International career Rodríguez was crowned top scorer of the 2003 UEFA European Under-17 Championship at six goals, as Spain finished second to hosts Portugal. In the final, he scored on either side of Márcio Sousa's brace.

Personal life Rodríguez's younger brother, Sergio, was also a footballer. A defender, he played as a senior for Atlético Madrid and Celta, in both cases only representing their reserves.

Career statistics

HonoursOsasuna' Segunda División: 2018–19