Miguel Albiol
Quick Facts
Biography
Miguel Albiol Tortajada (born 2 September 1981) is a Spanish retired footballer who played mainly as a right midfielder.
During a 16-year professional career, he amassed Segunda División totals of 178 games and two goals over the course of seven seasons, in representation of three clubs. In La Liga, he appeared for Valencia.
Club career
Born in Vilamarxant, Valencian Community, Albiol was a product of hometown Valencia CF's youth ranks, as younger brother Raúl after him, and played once with its first team, during 2002–03's La Liga. He finished that season in the second division with Real Murcia, featuring regularly en route to the club's promotion.
Released by the Che, Albiol spent a further year with Recreativo de Huelva (also second level), then had a steady period with Rayo Vallecano. He was instrumental in the latter side's 2008 promotion to division two, after four consecutive playoff failures.
In July 2009, apparently after having everything arranged with Hércules CF, Albiol agreed on a return move to Murcia, signing for three years. He appeared in 30 games in his first season – 22 starts, 2,200 minutes of play – in a relegation-ending second division campaign.
Personal life
Albiol's younger brother, Raúl, was also a footballer. He represented with success Valencia, Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.