Manuel Lucena
Encyclopedia
Manuel 'Manolo' Lucena Medina (born 18 November 1982 in Granada
, Andalusia
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Granada CF
in La Liga
, as a central defender.
, at the time in Tercera División
. After two years as a starter, he signed for Marino de Luanco in Segunda División B
, being first-choice in his only season as the Asturias
club narrowly avoided relegation.
In the 2005 summer, Lucena joined Sporting de Gijón
in Segunda División
. In January of the following year, after only three league appearances (seven minutes in total), he returned to Granada, being an essential defensive unit (and adding five goals) as the team promoted from the fourth level.
In the following three division three seasons, Lucena remained a key player for Granada, never appearing in less than 32 league games, and occasionally pitching in at defensive midfielder. In 2009–10
, already as team captain, he contributed with 26 games and one goal as the team returned to the second division after 22 years.
In late June 2011, after a second consecutive promotion for Granada
, with him as the club's only player from the region of Granada, Lucena renewed his contract for a further two seasons.
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
) 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 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....
in 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...
, as a central defender.
Club career
In 2002, Lucena joined hometown club Granada CFGranada 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....
, at the time in Tercera División
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
. After two years as a starter, he signed for Marino de Luanco in Segunda División B
Segunda 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...
, being first-choice in his only season as the Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
club narrowly avoided relegation.
In the 2005 summer, Lucena joined Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
in Segunda División
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:...
. In January of the following year, after only three league appearances (seven minutes in total), he returned to Granada, being an essential defensive unit (and adding five goals) as the team promoted from the fourth level.
In the following three division three seasons, Lucena remained a key player for Granada, never appearing in less than 32 league games, and occasionally pitching in at defensive midfielder. In 2009–10
2009–10 Segunda División B
The 2009–10 Segunda División B season was the 79th since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 29 August 2009, and the season ended on 20 June 2010 with the promotion play-off finals.- Group 1:...
, already as team captain, he contributed with 26 games and one goal as the team returned to the second division after 22 years.
In late June 2011, after a second consecutive promotion for Granada
2010–11 Segunda División
-Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:||style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=11 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|-Positions by round:Source: -Results:...
, with him as the club's only player from the region of Granada, Lucena renewed his contract for a further two seasons.