Rafa (footballer)

Rafael López Gómez (Spanish pronunciation: [rafaˈel ˈlopeð ˈɣomeθ]; born 9 April 1985), commonly known as Rafa, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Valladolid mainly as a central defender.

Football career

Rafa was born in Peñafiel, Valladolid, Castile and León. A product of Real Valladolid's youth system, he made his debut with the first team on 8 February 2004 in a 0–2 away defeat against RCD Espanyol, but only managed, however, six appearances with the main squad in his first two professional seasons combined.

After a season-long loan at SD Eibar in the second division, Rafa returned to help Valladolid regain its La Liga status in 2007. He played 21 league matches in the following campaign.

In early July 2008, Rafa agreed to join Getafe CF on a Bosman transfer. He would spend most of his first year as left back, replacing out-of-form Lucas Licht who was sold shortly after.

In 2009–10, benefitting from consecutive injuries to Mario, Rafa was mostly first-choice. With 27 games and two goals from the player, the Madrid team finished sixth and qualified to the UEFA Europa League for the second time in their history.

On 1 September 2014, the last open day of the transfer window, Rafa transferred to newly promoted German Bundesliga club SC Paderborn 07, signing a two-year contract. He made his league debut on 22 November, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Borussia Dortmund.

On 13 July 2016, Rafa returned to his first club Valladolid after agreeing to a three-year deal.