Juan 'Juantxo' Elía Vallejo (born 24 January 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Juantxo Elía
Personal information
Full name Juan Elía Vallejo
Date of birth (1979-01-24) 24 January 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth Pamplona, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1993–1997 Osasuna
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 Osasuna B 109 (0)
2002–2008 Osasuna 40 (0)
2002–2003Ourense (loan) 36 (0)
2008–2010 Murcia 61 (0)
Total 246 (0)
International career
1997 Spain U17 4 (0)
1996–1998 Spain U18 10 (0)
1998 Spain U20 2 (0)
2004–2005 Navarre 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Elía spent the bulk of his professional career with his hometown side CA Osasuna, save for a loan at modest CD Ourense. In the 2004–05 campaign he played a personal-best in La Liga 22 games, but served mostly as a backup during his spell with his main club, 15 years including his formative ones;[1][2] he was also in goal in the 2005 Copa del Rey final, lost 2–1 against Real Betis at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.[3]

In August 2008, Elía joined Real Murcia CF, recently relegated to the Segunda División.[4] He was first choice in his debut season but the team only finished in mid-table, being relegated in the following with him appearing in 24 matches.[5]

Elía announced his retirement in September 2010 at the age of 31, due to persistent back problems.[6] Subsequently, he took up golf.[7]

International career

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Elía represented Navarre in two matches.[8][9]

References

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