David López (footballer, born 1982)
Quick Facts
Biography
David López Moreno (born 10 September 1982) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for SD Huesca.
Over the course of eight seasons he amassed La Liga totals of 196 games and 23 goals, for Osasuna (three years) and Athletic Bilbao (five).
Football career
Osasuna
López was born in Logroño, La Rioja. A product of CA Osasuna's youth ranks he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 17 October 2004 in a 3–2 home win against Albacete Balompié, and finished his first season with 13 games and one goal, scored in his first match.
The following campaign López was an undisputed starter as the Navarrese club achieved a first ever qualification to the UEFA Champions League, with the player contributing with six goals, including a crucial one in the last matchday, a 2–1 home success against Valencia CF.
As Osasuna was "demoted" to the UEFA Cup, López appeared 11 in matches in the team's semifinals run, netting in 3–0 away successes against Parma FC (twice) and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Athletic Bilbao
In the 2007 summer López signed with neighbours Athletic Bilbao, for around €6 million. His official club debut was on 28 August in a 0–0 home draw against his former team, and he was automatic first-choice in his first two years, appearing in 61 league games combined; in his second he helped the Basques narrowly avoid relegation, scoring at Recreativo de Huelva (1–1), and at home against Sporting de Gijón (3–0) and Racing de Santander (2–1, through a penalty).
López scored a career-best – joint – six goals in 28 contests in 2010–11, but became a fringe player for the Lions after the arrival of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as club manager. On 31 August 2012, his contract with Athletic was rescinded by mutual consent.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Immediately after being released, López transferred to English side Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship, signing a one-year contract. During his spell at the club, he was nicknamed 'Spanish Dave'.
Honours
- UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2011–12
- Copa del Rey: Runner-up 2008–09, 2011–12
- Supercopa de España: Runner-up 2009