Gorka Pintado
Encyclopedia
Gorka Pintado del Molino (born 24 March 1978 in San Sebastián
, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for AEK Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus
, as a striker.
, having an unassuming spell in the second division
with CD Leganés
(no goals in two years).
On June 6, 2008, at already 30, he signed with Swansea City
from Granada CF
, for a fee of around €
200,000, after netting 18 goals during the season. At the Welsh
outfit, Pintado hooked up with compatriots Roberto Martínez
(coach), Guillem Bauzà, Àngel Rangel
, Jordi Gómez and Albert Serrán
, and he scored his first league goal for the club during a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest
, at the Liberty Stadium
.
Although limited to substitute appearances, Pintado netted his fourth goal of the season in Swansea's 2–2 draw at home to Cardiff City
, volleying home for the equaliser. He went on to score three more times, against Derby County
, Southampton
and Crystal Palace
.
On 6 January 2011, Pintado moved to AEK Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus
, on loan until June. On 23 August, he signed with the club permanently. He scored his first goal in European football while playing against Maccabi Hafia F.C.
in the UEFA Europa League in the 51st minute before being taken off as a substitute in the 75th minute, AEK Larnaca went on to win the match 2 - 1
San Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for AEK Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, as a striker.
Football career
During his career, Pintado played mostly in the Spanish third levelSegunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
, having an unassuming spell in the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
with CD Leganés
CD Leganés
Club Deportivo Leganés, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Leganés, in the Madrid outskirts. Founded on 26 June 1928, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home games at Estadio Municipal de Butarque, which seats 8,000 spectators....
(no goals in two years).
On June 6, 2008, at already 30, he signed with Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
from Granada CF
Granada CF
Granada Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 14 April 1931, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home matches at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes....
, for a fee of around €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
200,000, after netting 18 goals during the season. At the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
outfit, Pintado hooked up with compatriots Roberto Martínez
Roberto Martínez
Roberto Martínez Montoliú is a Spanish former professional footballer and is currently manager of Wigan Athletic.Martínez played as a midfielder and began his career at lower league Spanish side CF Balaguer. Two years later he went to English Division Three side Wigan Athletic...
(coach), Guillem Bauzà, Àngel Rangel
Àngel Rangel
Àngel Rangel Zaragoza is a Spanish footballer who plays for Swansea City in the Premier League, as a right back.-Football career:...
, Jordi Gómez and Albert Serrán
Albert Serrán
Albert Serrán Polo is a Spanish footballer who plays for AEK Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus, as a defender.-Football career:...
, and he scored his first league goal for the club during a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, at the Liberty Stadium
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
The Liberty Stadium is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the...
.
Although limited to substitute appearances, Pintado netted his fourth goal of the season in Swansea's 2–2 draw at home to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, volleying home for the equaliser. He went on to score three more times, against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
.
On 6 January 2011, Pintado moved to AEK Larnaca F.C. in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, on loan until June. On 23 August, he signed with the club permanently. He scored his first goal in European football while playing against Maccabi Hafia F.C.
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
in the UEFA Europa League in the 51st minute before being taken off as a substitute in the 75th minute, AEK Larnaca went on to win the match 2 - 1