Quick Facts
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Dídac Vilà Rosselló (born 9 June 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol as a left back.
Club career
Espanyol
Born in Mataró, Barcelona, Catalonia, Vilà joined local RCD Espanyol's youth system at the age of 10, making his senior debuts in 2008–09 and helping the reserves promote from the fourth division, as champions. He was promoted to the first team by manager Mauricio Pochettino, making his La Liga debut on 30 January 2010 in a 1–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao (which, in his own words, came as a "surprise") and ending his first professional season with 11 league games, starting and playing all the minutes in every match as the Pericos finished in mid-table; previously, he appeared with the main squad in the 2008 final of the Copa Catalunya, lost 1–2 to UE Sant Andreu, and signed a five-year contract with the club shortly after.
After missing the first months of the 2010–11 campaign due to physical problems, Vilà once again gained first-choice status at Espanyol, taking over longtime incumbent – and also a youth graduate at the club – David García.
Milan
On 28 January 2011, Vilà was bought by A.C. Milan in Serie A for a reported €3 million. After only one official appearance for the Italians, and subsequently being highly critical of coach Massimiliano Allegri, he returned to Espanyol in early June 2011, in a season-long loan. He only missed one match during the league campaign, scoring twice but in as many away losses.
At the beginning of 2012–13, Vilà was set to join Valencia CF on loan, with the Che having the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season, but the deal fell apart as he did not pass the required medical exams. Subsequently the player underwent surgery, failing to play in a competitive match for the Rossoneri.
For the 2013–14 season, Vilà moved to Real Betis on loan, again being bothered by physical problems – including a leg fracture. After the Andalusians' relegation he subsequently returned to Milan, and joined SD Eibar on 26 August 2014 also in a temporary deal; after fully recovering he suffered a thigh injury, going on to feature in 16 games across all competitions.
AEK Athens
On 7 August 2015, AEK Athens F.C. announced the signing of Vilà on a three-year deal, with the player stating he hoped this move would see him return to his old form. He played understudy to Aristidis Soiledis during the first part of the campaign but eventually became first-choice, impressing manager Gus Poyet for his professionalism in training.
Vilà started 2016–17's domestic league with a goal, contributing to a 4–1 home win over Xanthi FC.
Espanyol return
On 30 August 2017, Vilà returned to his first club Espanyol after agreeing to a three-year deal, with a €25 million buy-out clause.
International career
In 2011, Vilà received his first callup for the Spanish under-21s. That year he was selected by manager Luis Milla to the UEFA European Championship in Denmark, playing all the matches and minutes for the eventual champions.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 1 June 2017
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Espanyol B | 2008–09 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| 2009–10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 | |
| Espanyol | 2008–09 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 | |
| Total | 61 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 3 | |
| Milan | 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012–13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Betis | 2013–14 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 1 | |
| Eibar | 2014–15 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| AEK Athens | 2015–16 | 26 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| 2016–17 | 32 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
| Total | 58 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 73 | 3 | |
| Career total | 187 | 8 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 219 | 10 | |
Honours
Club
- Espanyol B
- Tercera División: 2008–09
- Milan
- Serie A: 2010–11
- AEK
- Greek Cup: 2015–16
International
- Spain U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2011
- Spain U20
- Mediterranean Games: 2009