Francisco Villanueva Medina

Francisco Villanueva Medina (born 27 July 1965), known as Patxi Villanueva, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and later worked as a goalkeeping coach. He spent the vast majority of his career at Celta Vigo, which included making 32 La Liga appearances for the club.

Playing career

Villanueva was born in Marcilla in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, but began his career in the youth department of Galician club Celta Vigo, where he would spend the best of part two decades. He became the second youngest player in Celta's history when he made his debut on 24 May 1981 at the age of 15 years, 9 months and 28 days. Villanueva played the first 45 minutes against Logroñés at Estadio Las Gaunas, being replaced by Joan Capó at half time with Celta 2–0 down. The visitors recovered in the second half to draw 3–3, in what was the last game of a Segunda División B campaign in which they topped their group and earned promotion to the Segunda División.

This would prove to be a one off appearance, and Villanueva returned to the youth team for the next two seasons. He didn't play for the club again until the 1984–85 season, However, his appearances would continue to be sporadic, and he went without a league appearance for the next three seasons, and played every minute of the season as Los Celestes won the league and earned promotion back to La Liga. He played 38 matches in all competitions, but could not prevent Levante being relegated. He spent the next two seasons Gondomar in the Tercera División, before joining Peña Sport for their 2000–01 Segunda División B campaign. He made 21 appearances, before retiring at the end of the season as he approached his 36th birthday.

Coaching career

Villanueva returned to Celta Vigo in 2010, becoming their goalkeeping coach, a role he held until 2014.

Honours Celta Vigo Segunda División B: 1980–81 Segunda División: 1991–92 Copa del Rey runners-up: 1993–94

Career statistics

1. Appearance in the 1984 Copa de la Liga Segunda División