Sergio Asenjo

Villarreal With his game time limited in Madrid, Asenjo agreed to a one-year loan deal with Villarreal in July 2013 with the club retaining a buyout option at the end of the season. He excelled during his first year, missing only three league matches and keeping nine clean sheets as the side qualified for the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League.

Asenjo retained his starting spot throughout the 2014–15 campaign but, on 29 April 2015, in the dying minutes of a 1–0 loss to former side Atlético, he tore his ACL for a third time while attempting to make a save. The following month, and in the same competition, he played his first game in nearly 11 months and kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw (2–0 aggregate win) at Bayer Leverkusen.

Asenjo, who reclaimed his starting position following his recovery, signed a new contract in December 2016 to last until 2022. The following 26 February, during the first half of a league home match against Real Madrid, he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for a fourth time, this time in his left knee

In 2020–21, under new manager Unai Emery, Asenjo retained his place as a starter in the league season, while Gerónimo Rulli was preferred for the victorious Europa League campaign. He made one appearance on the European front, the last-16 second leg at home to Dynamo Kyiv which his team won 2–0 on 18 March.

Return to Valladolid On 7 July 2022, Asenjo returned to Valladolid on a free transfer. He acted mainly as a backup to longtime incumbent Jordi Masip, and after being demoted to third-choice following the arrival of John, he left the club in September 2023.

Asenjo announced his retirement from professional football on 27 July 2024, aged 35.

International career In 2006, Asenjo was selected to the Spain under-17 side as they took home the bronze medal in the UEFA European Championship. He started in all of the matches, except the third-place play-off.

Asenjo was again called up for the 2007 Under-19 European Championship: in the qualification rounds his role in the team was quite insignificant, but his status changed in the semi-final against France, replacing the injured starter and saving two penalties in the shootout as the country progressed to the final, where he appeared against Greece with another excellent display for a 1–0 win.

Asenjo made his under-21 debut in late August 2008, and was first choice at the 2009 European Championships. He also played at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

In March 2015, Asenjo received his first ever callup to the senior national team, being named in Vicente del Bosque's squad for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly with the Netherlands. He did not make his debut until 29 May the following year, in a 3–1 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland; he was the first footballer from Palencia to win a cap since Jesús Landáburu 36 years prior.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Atlético Madrid Copa del Rey: 2012–13; runner-up 2009–10 UEFA Europa League: 2009–10, 2011–12 UEFA Super Cup: 2012

Villarreal UEFA Europa League: 2020–21 UEFA Super Cup runner-up: 2021

Spain U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship third place: 2006

Spain U19 UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2007