Biography
Who is Roberto Soldado?
Early life and Real Madrid career
Roberto Soldado Rillo began his path in professional football in his native Spain. He joined the youth academy at Real Madrid at the age of 15, transitioning from a smaller local club named CF Don Bosco. After honing his talents within the reserve team setup, he earned his debut for the first team in October 2005.
During his initial years, he was known for his scoring ability with the reserves. Seeking consistent top-level experience, he secured a loan move to Osasuna for the 2006 season. He selected Osasuna specifically to gain experience in the Champions League, where he ultimately finished as the team's top scorer that season with 13 goals across all competitions.
Rise at Getafe and Valencia
Upon returning to the Spanish capital, the striker moved to Getafe in 2008 on a four-year agreement. This tenure represented a breakthrough in his professional status, as he became a reliable goalscorer in the first division. By late 2009, he had established himself as Getafe's best-ever scorer in the top flight, a record he achieved after scoring twice against Sevilla.
His impressive form led to a move to Valencia in 2010, where he was signed to fill the void left by David Villa. At Valencia, Roberto flourished, scoring frequently in domestic league matches and European tournaments. He played a key role in helping the team qualify for the Champions League, netting important goals, including well-known hat-tricks against BATE Borisov in the Champions League and against Getafe in league play.
English football and international play
In 2013, the forward completed a high-profile transfer to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League for a fee of 26 million pounds. He made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace and later netting goals in the Europa League.
Despite this start, he found it difficult to consistently replicate his Spanish scoring form during his two seasons in the Premier League. During this period, he also earned international recognition, representing the Spanish national team at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he demonstrated his ability on the global stage.
Later career in Spain and Turkey
Following his stint in England, the player returned to the Spanish top flight, signing a three-year contract with Villarreal in 2015. He played several seasons with the club, though his momentum was interrupted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee during the 2016 pre-season.
Later, he moved to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe, where he especially scored a hat-trick as a substitute against Sivasspor in 2017. His professional path continued back in Spain with Granada, where he participated in the club's first-ever European campaign, and finally with Levante. Throughout his long career, Roberto Soldado maintained a reputation as a dedicated striker who navigated various leagues and tactical systems across Europe, demonstrating resilience through multiple transfers and injuries.
Birthday and age
Roberto Soldado was born on May 27, 1985, which makes Roberto 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Roberto shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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