Arnau Caldenteny Riera(/ˈɑːrnaʊ/;born 1 October 1981) is a Spanish former professionalfootballerwho played as amidfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Arnau Caldenteny Riera[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Manacor,Spain | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Manacor | |||
| Mallorca | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2001 | Mallorca | 0 | (0) |
| 1999–2001 | →Ferriolense(loan) | ||
| 2001 | →Mataró(loan) | ||
| 2001–2002 | Barcelona C | 1 | (0) |
| 2001–2006 | Barcelona B | 143 | (5) |
| 2006–2009 | Sunderland | 1 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | →Southend United(loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | →Falkirk(loan) | 19 | (1) |
| 2008–2009 | →Falkirk(loan) | 17 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Atlético Baleares | ||
| 2011–2012 | Manacor | 18 | (1) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 June 2012 | |||
Early career
editRiera was born inManacor,Mallorca.He played forReal Mallorca's youth team aged 18 and played for Balearic Island selection U17 when they were champions of Spain. Aged 18, he moved to Mataro (on loan from Mallorca) in Spain'sSecond Division B.A year later he moved toFC Barcelona Bwhere he was an ever present in the side which won the league in 2001. He stayed with the B-team until 2006 and trained withthe first teaminPeraladain 2004. He wasLionel Messi's captain for the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons.
Senior career
editRiera made substitute appearances for the Barcelona first team in 2004–05. He also played with the first team in friendlies againstMarseille2004–05,China2003–04,Shaktar Donetsk2003–04.
On 10 August 2006, Riera signed forSunderland,[2]and made his debut in the 3–1 defeat toSouthend UnitedatRoots Hallon 19 August 2006. He played well in his debut game, but was sent off just three minutes into the following match, aLeague Cupmatch againstBurywhich Sunderland lost 2–0 atGigg Lane.And although signed to Sunderland for three more years, he never played for them again.
Whilst signed to Sunderland, Riera joinedSouthend Unitedon a month's loan,[3]the team against which he made his Sunderland debut. He also joinedScottish Premier LeaguesideFalkirkon a season-long loan, on 17 July 2007.[4]At Falkirk he scored twice; once in a 7–2 defeat toRangers[5]and once in aScottish Cuptie againstAberdeen.[6]He joinedBlackpoolfor a week's trial in July 2008,[7]which he left prematurely.[8]Riera eventually rejoined Falkirk on another season-long loan.[9]
He was finally released by Sunderland on 28 May 2009.[10]
He currently resides in his hometown and runs a hotel.[11]
References
edit- ^"Arnau Riera".Barry Hugman's Footballers.Retrieved14 April2017.
- ^"Black Cats sign Barca midfielder".BBC Sport. 10 August 2006.Retrieved18 August2007.
- ^"Southend clinch Riera loan deal".BBC Sport. 23 November 2006.Retrieved18 August2007.
- ^"Bairns sign up Spanish midfielder".BBC Sport. 17 July 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 12 August 2007.Retrieved18 August2007.
- ^"Rangers 7–2 Falkirk".BBC Sport. 18 August 2007.
- ^"Falkirk 2-2 Aberdeen".BBC Sport. 12 January 2008.
- ^"Blackpool bring in Arnau on trial".BBC Sport. 8 July 2008.Retrieved23 July2008.
- ^"Arnau ends Blackpool trial early".BBC Sport. 10 July 2008.Retrieved23 July2008.
- ^"Riera passed fit to rejoin Bairns".BBC Sport. 19 July 2008.Retrieved23 July2008.
- ^Setanta Sports (28 May 2009)."Sunderland announce major clear-out".Archived fromthe originalon 31 May 2009.Retrieved28 May2009.
- ^Bleacher Report (15 October 2014)."Dreams to Dust: Life After Football for the Future Stars Who Never Quite Made It".Retrieved15 October2014.
External links
edit- Arnau Rieraat BDFutbol
- Arnau Rieraat Soccerbase
- Futbolme profile(in Spanish)
