Antonio Martínez López
Quick Facts
Biography
Antonio Martínez López (born 30 June 1997), commonly referred to as Toni Martínez, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club West Ham United. He has represented Spain at under-17 and under-19 level. Prior to joining West Ham, Martínez played for Real Murcia and Valencia at under-19 youth level.
Club career
Born in Barrio del Progreso, Murcia, Martínez began his footballing career with local side C.F.S. El Progreso and later joined Real Murcia. In 2013, he signed for Valencia. Martínez, who was initially a member of the club's academy Cadete A (for players aged 14–15 years) was admitted to their reserve side, Valencia Mestalla (Valencia B). He made his professional league debut at the age of 16. On 31 August 2014, Martínez made his Segunda División B debut for Valencia B in a 1–0 opening day win against Eldense at home. In three seasons at Valencia Mestalla, he played 17 games and scored two goals, and a further eight appearances including a goal and three assists in the UEFA Youth League.
West Ham United
In April 2016, Martínez agreed a three-year deal to join English club West Ham United on 1 July 2016 for a fee of around £2.4 million. He was given permission to train with his new teammates by Valencia to help him settle in England and would initially link up with West Ham United's development squad. Martínez will wear the number 29 shirt for the 2016–17 season. He marked his Premier League 2 debut with a goal against Stoke City, in a 3–0 home win. After scoring 7 goals in 7 games for West Ham United U23 during the first-half of the season, he suffered two injury set-backs, the first left him sidelined for six weeks, with the player due to return to action on 21 November, Martínez suffered yet another injury. His prolific goal-scoring feats continued into January and before long he had racked up a total of 12 goals from 11 games.
Oxford United (loan)
On 23 January 2017, he was sent out on loan for the first time in his career, to League One side Oxford United until the end of the 2016–17 season. The player was handed the number 7 shirt by the club. On 28 January, Martínez came on as a substitute to score his first goal for the League One side in a 3–0 home win over Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. He made his League One debut in an away fixture against local rivals Swindon Town, a game which Oxford won 2–1, and scored his first league goal, a late consolation goal in a 3–2 home defeat at the hands of league leaders Sheffield United, on 7 March.
International career
Martínez played four matches for Spain U17, making his debut on 22 January 2014 against Italy.
In 2015, he received a call from Spain U19 to participate in the 2015 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Greece. Martínez was also in the squad for the 2016 UEFA Under-19 Championship in Germany.
Career statistics
- As of match played 8 April 2017
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
West Ham United | 2016–17 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Oxford United (loan) | 2016–17 | League One | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 5 |
Career total | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 5 |