Rafael Carlos Santacruz

Rafael "Rafa" Carlos Santacruz Aragonés (born 27 January 1983) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central defender.

Club career Santacruz was born in Córdoba, Andalusia. After starting out at Real Valladolid Promesas, he joined Valencia CF's reserves. On 10 April 2005, he made his only La Liga appearance with the latter's first team, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Málaga CF.

Subsequently, Santacruz spent one season apiece with Real Madrid's C and B sides, suffering relegation from Segunda División with the latter in 2007. After that, he returned to Segunda División B and represented in quick succession AD Ceuta, CD Linares and UB Conquense.

In the summer of 2010, the 27-year-old Santacruz went back to division two, signing for Albacete Balompié. In the following transfer window, however, he left without one single official appearance and resumed his career in the third tier. He retired already in his 40s, having competed in the Tercera División and the Andalusian regional leagues.