Quick Facts
Biography
José Antonio García Rabasco (born 29 September 1986), known as Verza, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Levante UD as a central midfielder.
Club career
Born in Orihuela, Alicante, Verza finished his formation with Villarreal CF's youth system, going on to appear several years with the reserves in the lower leagues. On 22 June 2003, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut, playing the last 20 minutes in a 1–4 home loss against Real Betis.
In January 2005, Verza was loaned to Segunda División side Recreativo de Huelva until the end of the season. In July, he joined neighbouring Córdoba CF in Segunda División B.
In January 2007, after being sparingly used by the Andalusians, Verza moved to Orihuela CF on loan, signing permanently in July. After a one-and-a-half years with the Valencian club, he signed a two-year deal with Albacete Balompié in the second level.
In the following years, Verza was an undisputed starter for the Castile-La Mancha side but, after its relegation in 2011, he terminated his contract and signed with fellow league team UD Almería shortly after.
Verza appeared in 40 league matches in his second season (plus four in the play-offs), helping the Rojiblancos return to the main division after a two-year absence. He played his first game in the competition in more than one decade on 19 August, starting in a 2–3 home loss to former club Villarreal, and scored his first goal late in the month by netting from the penalty spot in a 2–2 home draw against Elche CF.
On 8 February 2014, Verza grabbed a brace at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos to help hand Atlético Madrid its second consecutive loss of the campaign, scoring the final 2–0 through a penalty. On 7 February of the following year, he scored an own goal and a penalty in a 1–1 home draw against Getafe CF for the Copa del Rey.
On 8 June 2015, Verza signed a four-year deal with fellow league team Levante UD, after his contract with the Rojiblancos expired.