Quick Facts
Biography
Gerard Moreno Balagueró (born 7 April 1992), known simply as Gerard, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol as a striker.
Football career
Villarreal
Born in Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Barcelona, Catalonia, Gerard joined Villarreal CF in 2010, from local CF Badalona. On 5 March 2011, while still a junior, he made his professional debut with the B-side, appearing as a late substitute in a 1–2 home loss against Rayo Vallecano; during his early spell he also represented the third team, scoring at an astonishing rate in Tercera División.
On 10 December 2011, Gerard netted his first goal as a professional, contributing to a 3–1 Segunda División home success over Xerez CD. Roughly one year later he played his first official game with Villarreal's main squad, starting in a 0–1 loss at Elche CF; he scored his first goal for the Yellow Submarine on 25 January 2013, netting the opener in the 3–0 win against CE Sabadell FC.
On 8 July 2013, Gerard signed with RCD Mallorca in the second level, in a season-long loan. He subsequently returned to Villarreal, being definitely promoted to the main squad now in La Liga.
Moreno made his debut in the Spanish top flight on 14 September 2014, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Granada CF. He scored his first goal in the competition ten days later, in a 1–1 draw at SD Eibar.
Espanyol
On 13 August 2015, Gerard signed a five-year deal with fellow league club RCD Espanyol, who bought 50% of his rights for a €1.5 million fee. The following 23 January, he scored in a 2–2 home draw against his former team, before being sent off.