César Jiménez (footballer)
César Jiménez Jiménez (born 28 November 1977), known simply as César, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | César Jiménez Jiménez | ||
Date of birth | 28 November 1977 | ||
Place of birth | Ávila, Spain | ||
Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
Youth career | |||
1993–1996 | Real Madrid | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1996–1997 | Real Madrid C | 12 | (1) |
1997–1998 | Real Madrid B | 0 | (0) |
1998–2002 | Zaragoza B | 109 | (5) |
2001–2007 | Zaragoza | 14 | (1) |
2002–2004 | → Almería (loan) | 59 | (4) |
Total | 194 | (11) | |
International career | |||
1993 | Spain U16 | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
He played almost exclusively with Real Zaragoza, in a career marred by injuries.[1]
Club career
Born in Ávila, Castile and León, César was brought up through the Real Madrid youth academy, and played his first senior season with the C team in the Segunda División B. In October 1998 he signed for Real Zaragoza, but represented mainly the reserves during his spell at La Romareda.[2][3]
In 2000–01's 18th round, César made his La Liga debut in a 4–2 home win over CA Osasuna, and scored in the game.[4] After the Aragonese's relegation the following campaign, he served a two-year loan at Segunda División club UD Almería.[5]
César's Zaragoza career was blighted by injuries, as he only totalled 17 competitive appearances in five seasons.[6] In a January 2005 match against Real Madrid, a tough challenge by Luís Figo would all but mean his untimely retirement,[7] completed in March 2007.[8]
References
- El club de las rodillas rotas (Shattered knees society); Heraldo de Aragón, 29 July 2010 (in Spanish)
- César estará de seis a ocho meses de baja por la entrada de Figo (César will miss from six to eight months due to Figo's tackle); El País, 18 January 2005 (in Spanish)
- La última esperanza de César Jiménez (César Jiménez's last hope); El Norte de Castilla, 10 February 2007 (in Spanish)
- La defensa del Osasuna ayudó al Zaragoza (Osasuna's defense helped Zaragoza); ABC, 15 January 2001 (in Spanish)
- César Jiménez repite cesión por una temporada en el Almería (César Jiménez repeats season-long loan at Almería); El Periódico de Aragón, 19 August 2003 (in Spanish)
- César deja el fútbol dos años después de su lesión (César quits football two years after his injury); Diario AS, 15 March 2007 (in Spanish)
- Weekly football news roundup March 2007; Soccerphile, 17 March 2007
- 'Sad day' for Zaragoza's César; UEFA, 14 March 2007