Quick Facts
Biography
José Raúl Baena Urdiales (Spanish pronunciation: [xo'se ra'ul βa'ena ur'ðjales]; born 2 March 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Granada CF as a defensive midfielder.
Football career
Born in Torrox, Málaga, Andalusia, and after starting his footballing career at local Málaga CF and later coming through the FC Barcelona's youth ranks, Baena switched to Catalonia neighbours RCD Espanyol in 2007, at the age of 18. He made his debut with its first team on 4 October 2009 in a La Liga game against Villarreal CF, playing the second half as his ten-man side eventually held off the hosts to a 0–0 draw.
Baena quickly became an integral part of the main squad, alternating starts with appearances from the bench in his debut season. On 12 December 2009, his penalty offense on FC Barcelona's Xavi supposed the game's only goal, in a derby defeat.
Baena was regularly used by manager Mauricio Pochettino in the following campaigns, often partnering another club youth graduate, Javi Márquez, in central midfield. On 21 January 2012 he scored his first goal in the top flight, opening the scoresheet in a 3–0 home success over Granada CF.