Neru (footballer)

Francisco Borja Enrique Ayesa (born 20 January 1974 in Santander, Cantabria), known as Neru, is a Spanish retired footballer. Mainly a central defender, he could operate on the left flank on occasion.
During a 17-year professional career he appeared in seven La Liga seasons for a total of 127 games, with Racing de Santander (six years) and Sporting de Gijón (one).

A product of hometown Racing de Santander's youth squad, Neru first appeared with the main squad during the 1998–99 season, already aged 24. During the following years (which included a second division stint), he would be relatively put to use in various defensive positions.

In the 2004–05 campaign, Neru was loaned to Segunda División side Sporting de Gijón, being an undisputed first-choice throughout the season and scoring a rare goal on 1 May 2005, in a 3–2 home win against Pontevedra CF. He returned to Santander for a further 15 La Liga games, in 2005–06.

After an uneventful six-month loan to another second level team, Cádiz CF, Neru was released by Santander and rejoined Gijón, playing only four matches during the 2007–08 season as the Asturias side returned to the first division after a 10-year hiatus.

In August 2009, the 35-year-old moved Deportivo Alavés, now in the third category. However, after a run-in with the management, he became surplus to requirements and, in late January 2010, moved up a level as he signed with SD Huesca until the end of the campaign; he replaced Daniel Mustafá, who was released.