Jordi Gómez García-Penche
Encyclopedia
Jordi Gómez García-Penche (born 24 May 1985) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
in England
, as a central midfielder.
, Catalonia
, Gómez emerged through FC Barcelona
's youth ranks, and completed his formation with neighbours RCD Espanyol
. He made his professional debut with the latter, on 23 March 2008, a 0–4 away defeat against Real Murcia
, appearing in a further two La Liga
matches.
On 6 June 2008, Gómez signed for Swansea City
of the Football League Championship
on a season-long loan, for a fee of £
200,000. Clubmate Albert Serrán
also made the move, albeit in a permanent situation. Gómez scored the winning goal with a deflected direct free kick
against rivals Cardiff City
on 23 September, in the first South Wales derby
for seven years. He was described by scouts as having "a lovely ability to receive the ball in space or if he is marked tightly, find space after his first touch".
Gómez finished the season with 14 goals in all competitions, and returned to Espanyol, being immediately sold to Premier League team Wigan Athletic
on a three-year contract on 19 June 2009, with the transfer fee estimated to be in the region of £1.7 million. The transfer also meant he would be reunited with former Swansea manager, countryman Roberto Martínez
. He made his debut in a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa
on 15 August, and scored his first goal for the club against Birmingham City
on 5 December, albeit in a 2–3 home loss.
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 Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, as a central midfielder.
Club career
Born in BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, Gómez emerged through FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
's youth ranks, and completed his formation with neighbours RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
. He made his professional debut with the latter, on 23 March 2008, a 0–4 away defeat against Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, appearing in a further two La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
matches.
On 6 June 2008, Gómez signed for 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...
of the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
on a season-long loan, for a fee of £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
200,000. Clubmate 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:...
also made the move, albeit in a permanent situation. Gómez scored the winning goal with a deflected direct free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
against rivals 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...
on 23 September, in the first South Wales derby
South Wales derby
The South Wales derby is a football local derby between Welsh clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City and is regarded as one of the most fierce rivalries in British football....
for seven years. He was described by scouts as having "a lovely ability to receive the ball in space or if he is marked tightly, find space after his first touch".
Gómez finished the season with 14 goals in all competitions, and returned to Espanyol, being immediately sold to Premier League team Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on a three-year contract on 19 June 2009, with the transfer fee estimated to be in the region of £1.7 million. The transfer also meant he would be reunited with former Swansea manager, countryman 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...
. He made his debut in a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 15 August, and scored his first goal for the club against Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on 5 December, albeit in a 2–3 home loss.
Honours
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
: Team Of the Season 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...