Javier Rueda García

Javier "Javi" Rueda García (born 8 May 2002) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for La Liga club Celta de Vigo.

Club career Rueda was born in Alozaina, Málaga, Andalusia, and joined Real Madrid's La Fábrica in 2018, after representing Málaga CF, Puerto Malagueño CF and EF Alozaina. On 13 August 2021, after finishing his formation, he was loaned to Primera División RFEF side UD San Sebastián de los Reyes for the season.

Rueda made his senior debut on 29 August 2021, starting in a 1–0 home win over Extremadura UD, and scored his first goal on 31 October, netting the opener in a 3–2 loss at CD Calahorra. The following 29 July, after being a regular starter, he moved to fellow league team Real Murcia CF also in a temporary deal.

On 21 July 2023, Rueda signed a four-year contract with RC Celta de Vigo, being initially assigned to the reserves also in the third division. He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 26 May 2024, coming on as a second-half substitute for Kevin Vázquez in a 2–2 home draw against Valencia CF.

On 7 August 2024, Rueda was loaned to Segunda División side Albacete Balompié for the entire 2024–25 campaign. He scored his first professional goal on 21 September, netting his team's third in a 4–1 away routing of Racing de Ferrol.

Career statistics