Francisco Javier Sánchez Broto

Francisco Javier Sánchez Broto (born 25 August 1971) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

After eight years in his country where he appeared almost exclusively as a backup, playing for four clubs, he headed to Scotland, where he represented Airdrieonians, Livingston and Celtic.

Football career

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Sánchez Broto joined the Real Zaragoza academy at 14, where his failure to make an impression as a forward led to his being used as a goalkeeper. In the 1992–93 edition of La Liga, he appeared in four games for the Aragonese's first-team, and subsequently moved to the second division, playing for Villarreal CF and Málaga CF and winning a championship medal with the latter (he only played however in four league matches over the course of two seasons).

In 2000, Sánchez Broto moved to Scottish side Airdrie on a Bosman transfer. During his first year Airdrie won the Scottish Challenge Cup, after the player saved three penalties in the shootout against Livingston. When the club ran into financial problems he joined Livingston, being an important member of the Scottish First Division-winning side in 2001, while earning himself the SPFA Player of the Season Award.

In January 2003, Sánchez Broto joined Celtic, who required a goalkeeper following injuries to Rab Douglas and Magnus Hedman. He left the club at the end of the 2002–03 season, citing a desire to return home, and signed with Real Murcia in the top division for the following campaign, appearing rarely as his side was eventually relegated.

Sánchez Broto signed with newly promoted Getafe CF – the club's first ever appearance in the top flight – in 2004–05. Not an undisputed starter for the Madrid side, he did appear in 20 league matches out of 38, his performances resulting in Marca rating him the third-best goalkeeper in Spain for that season; whilst at the club, after losing a bet, he donated a pair of goalkeeper gloves to every goalkeeper in Spain's lower divisions.

After one sole season, 34-year-old Sánchez Broto signed with Hércules CF in the second level, but retired from professional football shortly after due to injuries. He expressed regret at having to retire so young, and despite his popularity throughout his career, remained self-effacing when looking back. In a 2006 interview given to Diario Equipo, he remarked that he had "enjoyed soccer as a little person of the game and would like to thank everyone who has made it all possible".

Honours

• Segunda División: 1998–99

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2000–01

• Scottish First Division: 2000–01