Diego Rivas

Diego Rivas Gutiérrez (born 27 April 1980) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for UD Socuéllamos as a defensive midfielder.

Born in Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Rivas started playing as a senior in Atlético Madrid's reserve sides, but could never break into the first team. In the 2002–03 campaign, he served a loan at neighbouring Getafe CF in the second division.

Having returned to the Colchoneros, Rivas was definitely waived and, in January 2004, had a second Getafe spell, still contributing with 17 games to a first ever top flight promotion. He continued to be everpresent from 2004 to 2006, as the side achieved two consecutive ninth-place finishes in La Liga.

Rivas played the first of the following two seasons with Real Sociedad, appearing irregularly as the Basques were relegated and being loaned to Cádiz CF in the second level for 2007–08, in another ill-fated campaign.

Rivas excelled in the following second-tier seasons with Real Sociedad, rarely missing a match and helping the club return to the top level in his second year, while collecting 22 yellow cards combined. He featured in 32 contests in 2010–11 (31 starts), scoring against former team Atlético Madrid and Sevilla FC, both games ending in home losses, with the club eventually retaining its status.

In late June 2011, 31-year-old Rivas signed for Hércules CF in division two, agreeing on a 2+1 contract. He featured regularly during his spell in the Valencian Community, and on 9 August 2013 joined fellow league side SD Eibar.

Rivas contributed with 20 starts in 1,810 minutes of action during the campaign, as the Armeros were promoted to the top division for the first time ever. On 25 August 2014, he signed a one-year deal with UE Llagostera, newly promoted to the second level.

Rivas' younger brother, Marco, is also a footballer and a midfielder. He played almost exclusively in amateur football, his biggest achievement being appearing in 13 games for AD Alcorcón in the third division.