Sergio Contreras Pardo
Encyclopedia
Sergio Contreras Pardo, commonly known as Koke (born 27 April 1983 in Málaga
, Andalusia
), is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano
as a striker.
, being essential as the B team
reached the second division
for the first time its history, in 2003.
On 23 February 2003, he scored a late equalizer
in a 1–1 home draw against Celta de Vigo
in La Liga
, where he appeared in six matches, five from the bench, totalling 176 minutes during the 2002–03 season.
powerhouse Olympique de Marseille
, playing ten times without scoring the remainder of the season. The following one was much better, with Koke scoring five in 24 appearances, and making for a pacy attacking trio in Marseille with former French internationals
Steve Marlet
and Péguy Luyindula
.
In 2005–06, with the arrival of Mamadou Niang
(in August 2005) and Toifilou Maoulida
(in January 2006), Koke was deemed surplus to requirements, scoring one goal in nine league games and, in January 2006, was sent on loan to Portugal
's Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he played almost no part in the club's season, although he did score twice as a substitute against Gil Vicente FC, on March 5, in a 2–0 home win.
in August 2006 meant the end of Koke's adventure in France
. He would eventually sign for Aris Thessaloniki
, a team that was filled with Spanish players, in a three-year deal. He produced the best football of his career to date, notching up 10 league goals for a team that finished fourth in the league, after being promoted the previous season.
In 2007–08, Koke scored another 10 in the league's regular season, adding one in the UEFA Cup group stage game against Red Star Belgrade
. In July 2008, he signed a new five-year contract with Aris, while also attaining club vice-captaincy, second to Konstantinos Nebegleras
, and becoming himself captain in the 2009–10 campaign.
club Houston Dynamo
on 15 April 2011. He joined the team officially on the 26th after being awarded his international transfer certificate.
On 29 April 2011, Koke made his debut for his new team, coming on as a late substitute in a 4–1 win against D.C. United
. However, after failing to settle in Houston and struggling in the league, he had his contract termination request accepted by the club on 30 May, leaving the club after little more than a month.
, freshly promoted to the top division
. On 23 October, in his very first game, he scored his first goal for the club: after having replaced Piti
midway through the second half of the away match against Real Betis
, he netted the final 2–0 in the 88th minute, through a penalty kick
.
and Ameera after an Arabian
princess
). The following day, he dedicated the goal, scored in a UEFA Cup contest against NK Slaven Belupo
(1–0 home win), to his newborn.
In his spare time, he attended Aris BC
's basketball
matches during his spell in Greece.
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, 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 Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
as a striker.
Málaga
Koke started his football career at hometown club Málaga CFMálaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
, being essential as the B team
Atlético Malagueño
Atlético Malagueño, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1990, it is the reserve team of Málaga CF, and currently plays in Tercera División - Group 9....
reached 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:...
for the first time its history, in 2003.
On 23 February 2003, he scored a late equalizer
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
in a 1–1 home draw against Celta de Vigo
Celta de Vigo
Real Club Celta de Vigo , simply referred to as Celta Vigo, is a Spanish professional football club based in Vigo, Galicia, currently playing in the Segunda División. It was founded on March 28, 1923 following the merger of Real Vigo Sporting and Real Fortuna Foot-ball Club.Nicknamed Los Celestes ,...
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...
, where he appeared in six matches, five from the bench, totalling 176 minutes during the 2002–03 season.
Marseille
In January 2004, after seeing very little playing time in the first team, blocked by veteran goal-poacher Salva, Koke joined French leagueLigue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
powerhouse Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, playing ten times without scoring the remainder of the season. The following one was much better, with Koke scoring five in 24 appearances, and making for a pacy attacking trio in Marseille with former French internationals
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
Steve Marlet
Steve Marlet
Steve Marlet is a French footballer who is currently playing for amateur club CM Aubervilliers. The forward was capped 23 times and scored six goals for the French national team....
and Péguy Luyindula
Péguy Luyindula
Péguy Luyindula in Kinshasa is a French football striker. He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, in the French League.-Early career:...
.
In 2005–06, with the arrival of Mamadou Niang
Mamadou Niang
Mamadou Niang is a Senegalese footballer who plays as a forward for Qatar club Al Sadd in the Qatar National First Division. He has represented Senegal at international level, participating in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 African Cup of Nations. He wears the number 7 jersey...
(in August 2005) and Toifilou Maoulida
Toifilou Maoulida
Toifilou Maoulida is a French football player who plays for SC Bastia.-Career:He was born in Mayotte, a small island in the Indian Ocean, close to the Comoro Islands and Reunion Island, and raised in Marseille....
(in January 2006), Koke was deemed surplus to requirements, scoring one goal in nine league games and, in January 2006, was sent on loan to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
's Sporting Clube de Portugal, where he played almost no part in the club's season, although he did score twice as a substitute against Gil Vicente FC, on March 5, in a 2–0 home win.
Aris
The arrival (initially on loan) of Djibril CisséDjibril Cissé
Djibril Aruun Cissé is a French international footballer who currently plays for Serie A club Lazio as a striker. He is noted particularly for his speed and acceleration. Since 2005, he has held the title of Lord of the Manor of Frodsham....
in August 2006 meant the end of Koke's adventure in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He would eventually sign for Aris Thessaloniki
Aris Thessaloniki F.C.
Aris Football Club , also known as God of war and the Yellows, is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in...
, a team that was filled with Spanish players, in a three-year deal. He produced the best football of his career to date, notching up 10 league goals for a team that finished fourth in the league, after being promoted the previous season.
In 2007–08, Koke scored another 10 in the league's regular season, adding one in the UEFA Cup group stage game against Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
. In July 2008, he signed a new five-year contract with Aris, while also attaining club vice-captaincy, second to Konstantinos Nebegleras
Konstantinos Nebegleras
Konstantinos Nempegleras is a Greek central midfielder playing for Larissa.- Career :Having played in several teams as Larissa, Paniliakos, Iraklis and Aris Thessaloniki F.C., where he was team captain, Nebe was signed by Atromitos mid-season, in January 2009.Nebegleras competed for Greece at the...
, and becoming himself captain in the 2009–10 campaign.
Houston Dynamo
Koke signed with Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
club Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
on 15 April 2011. He joined the team officially on the 26th after being awarded his international transfer certificate.
On 29 April 2011, Koke made his debut for his new team, coming on as a late substitute in a 4–1 win against D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
. However, after failing to settle in Houston and struggling in the league, he had his contract termination request accepted by the club on 30 May, leaving the club after little more than a month.
Return to Spain
Koke returned to Spain in September 2011, signing with Rayo VallecanoRayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, freshly promoted to the top division
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:...
. On 23 October, in his very first game, he scored his first goal for the club: after having replaced Piti
Francisco Medina Luna
Francisco Medina Luna, aka Piti , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish first division, as a striker.-Club career:...
midway through the second half of the away match against Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
, he netted the final 2–0 in the 88th minute, through a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
.
Personal
On 13 August 2008, Koke's girlfriend gave birth to their first daughter, Maria-Ameera (Maria after the MadonnaMary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
and Ameera after an Arabian
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
). The following day, he dedicated the goal, scored in a UEFA Cup contest against NK Slaven Belupo
NK Slaven Belupo
NK Slaven Belupo, often referred to simply as Slaven and known internationally as NK Slaven Koprivnica, is a Croatian football club based in the city of Koprivnica in the north of the country...
(1–0 home win), to his newborn.
In his spare time, he attended Aris BC
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
matches during his spell in Greece.