Javi Chica

Spanish footballer

Javi Chica
Personal information
Chica (left) in action for Espanyol in 2010
Full name	Francisco Javier Chica Torres
Date of birth	(1985-05-17) 17 May 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth	Barcelona, Spain
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Full-back
Youth career
	Martinenc
1996–2004	Espanyol
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2006	Espanyol B	48	(0)
2006–2011	Espanyol	117	(0)
2011–2014	Betis	62	(2)
2014–2016	Valladolid	59	(0)
2017–2018	Llagostera	47	(0)
2018–2019	Grama	31	(0)
Total		364	(2)
International career
2003	Spain U17	1	(0)
2004	Spain U19	5	(0)
2005	Spain U20	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francisco Javier "Javi" Chica Torres (born 17 May 1985) is a Spanish former footballer. Capable of appearing at either right or left-back, his main asset was his physical strength.

He spent the better part of his professional career with Espanyol, appearing in 136 competitive matches over a five-year spell.^[1] In La Liga, he also represented Betis.

Club career

Espanyol

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Chica was a product of RCD Espanyol's youth system.^[2] He made his first-team debut on 15 October 2006 in a 0–0 away draw against Villarreal CF,^[3] and appeared in 27 La Liga games in his first year, adding ten as the club went all the way to the final of the UEFA Cup, losing it to fellow Spaniards Sevilla FC (he did not play the decisive match itself).^[4]

Never an undisputed starter in the following seasons, Chica continued to be regularly used at Espanyol, featuring in an average of more than 20 matches per season as either a right or left-back.

Betis

In late May 2011, free agent Chica signed a four-year contract with Real Betis, recently returned to the top division.^[5] He made his official debut on 27 August, starting at right-back in a 1–0 away win against Granada CF.^[6]

Chica scored his first goal as a senior on 20 April 2014, but it happened in a 3–1 loss at Rayo Vallecano;^[7] the Andalusians also suffered relegation at the end of the campaign after ranking last.^[8]

Valladolid

On 9 July 2014, despite having still one year left on his Betis contract, Chica agreed to a two-year deal with Real Valladolid, also in the Segunda División.^[9] He totalled 60 games during his stint at the Estadio José Zorrilla.

Later career

Chica returned to his native region in January 2017, joining Segunda División B side UE Llagostera.^[10] Before retiring in 2019 at the age of 34, he spent one year with amateurs FE Grama.^[11]

In summer 2020, Chica returned to Espanyol as youth coach.^[12]

Honours

Espanyol

UEFA Cup runner-up: 2006–07^[4]

Spain U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2004^[13]

References

^ "Javi Chica lamenta en su despedida el trato del club" [Javi Chica regrets treatment by club in his farewell]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 30 May 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
^ M. Franquet, Álex (10 December 2010). ""El éxito del Espanyol no es flor de un día", asegura Javi Chica" ["Espanyol's success is no fluke", states Javi Chica]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ "El Espanyol da señales de vida en el momento más crítico (0–0)" [Espanyol show signs of life in most critical moment (0–0)]. Sport (in Spanish). 16 October 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ ^a ^b Henderson, Charlie (16 May 2007). "Espanyol 2–2 Sevilla". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ Torrecillas, Mercedes (24 May 2011). "Chica es el primer fichaje del Betis para Primera" [Chica is Betis' first signing for Primera]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 January 2012.
^ "Rubén Castro hace justicia" [Rubén Castro does justice]. El País (in Spanish). 28 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
^ "Rayo win puts pressure on Betis". ESPN FC. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
^ Gutiérrez, Antonio (27 April 2014). "El Betis se va a Segunda en otra noche de pesadilla" [Betis go to Segunda in another nightmarish evening]. Diario de Mallorca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ "Javi Chica, apuesta segura para el lateral derecho" [Javi Chica, safe bet for the right flank] (in Spanish). Real Valladolid. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
^ Ciurana, Eduard (24 December 2016). "Amb Javi Chica, més experiència" [With Javi Chica, more experience]. L'Esportiu (in Catalan). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ "Se retiró Chica, un histórico del Espanyol" [Retirement of Chica, Espanyol legend] (in Spanish). Be Soccer. 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ Cordovilla, Anna (25 July 2020). "Javi Chica se estrena como 'primero'" [Javi Chica makes debut as 'head']. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2022.
^ "Los Europeos sub 19 de España (II): el golazo de Borja Valero y algunas estrellas fugaces" [Spain's under 19 Euros (II): Borja Valero's wonder goal and some fleeting stars] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2022.