Javier Castro (footballer, born 2000)

Javier Castro
Personal information
Full name	Javier Castro Urdín
Date of birth	13 September 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back, right-back
Team information
Current team	Racing Santander
Number	5
Youth career
2013–2015	Canillas
2015–2019	Rayo Vallecano
Senior career*
Years	Team
2019–2020	Alcorcón B
2020–2024	Alcorcón
2021–2022	→ Celta B (loan)
2024–	Racing Santander
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 June 2024

Javier Castro Urdín (born 13 September 2000) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Racing de Santander as either a central defender or a right-back.

Club career

Born in Madrid, Castro joined Rayo Vallecano's youth setup in 2015, from CD Canillas. On 25 July 2019, after finishing his formation, he signed for AD Alcorcón and was immediately assigned to the reserves in the Tercera División.^[1]

Castro made his senior debut on 25 August 2019, starting in a 1–0 Tercera División away win against Fútbol Alcobendas Sport. His first team debut came the following 26 January, after coming on as a late substitute for injured Paris Adot in a 3–1 home win against SD Ponferradina in the Segunda División.^[2]

On 23 June 2021, Castro renewed his contract with Alkor until 2025.^[3] On 27 July, he was loaned to Primera División RFEF side Celta de Vigo B, for one year.^[4]

Upon returning, Castro became a regular starter as Alkor achieved promotion to the second division, and scored his first professional goal on 5 November 2023, in a 3–1 home win over Racing de Santander. The following 10 July, after suffering immediate relegation, he moved to the Verdiblancos on a two-year deal.^[5]

^ "Dos nuevos refuerzos para el Alcorcón B" [Two new additions for Alcorcón B] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
^ "El Alcorcón se reencuentra con el triunfo goleando a la Ponfe" [Alcorcón go back to winning ways by thrashing Ponfe] (in Spanish). Marca. 26 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
^ "Castro renueva su contrato con la AD Alcorcón" [Castro renews his contract with AD Alcorcón] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
^ "Javier Castro jugará cedido en el R.C. Celta de Vigo" [Javier Castro will play on loan at R.C. Celta de Vigo] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
^ "Javi Castro, segundo refuerzo del Racing para la temporada 2024/25" [Javi Castro, second addition of Racing for the 2024/25 season] (in Spanish). Racing Santander. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.