Born in Madrid in 1985, Álvaro Negredo Sánchez established himself as a prominent striker within Spanish football before moving to international leagues. Known by the nickname The beast of Vallecas, he amassed 361 appearances and 128 goals across 12 La Liga seasons, playing for teams including Almería, Sevilla, Valencia, and Cádiz throughout his extensive professional career.
Early Career in Spain
Negredo began his football journey at Rayo Vallecano, making his professional debut in the Segunda División B in early 2005. He subsequently joined Real Madrid Castilla, where he developed his skills as a striker and scored 18 league goals. In 2007, he transferred to UD Almería, scoring 13 goals in his debut top-flight season. By June 2009, Real Madrid exercised a buyback option on the player, although he was quickly sold to Sevilla for 15 million euros.
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During his tenure at Sevilla, Negredo secured the 2010 Copa del Rey title. He consistently performed as a primary goalscorer, netting 26 goals across all competitions during the 2010–11 campaign. His tenure concluded with the attainment of the Zarra Trophy during the 2012–13 season, where he scored 25 league goals, including a hat-trick against RC Celta de Vigo and a decisive performance against Valencia CF.
International and English League Tenure
Negredo moved to Manchester City in 2013 for a reported 16.4 million pounds, winning both the Premier League and the League Cup in 2014. He holds the distinction of being the first Manchester City player to score a Champions League hat-trick. Internationally, he earned 21 caps for Spain and was part of the squad that secured victory at Euro 2012, finishing his national team career with ten goals.
Later Professional Years
Following his time in England, Negredo returned to Spain, signing with Valencia in 2014 and later joining the club permanently in 2015. His career path also included international stints with Middlesbrough in England, Beşiktaş in Turkey, and Al-Nasr in the United Arab Emirates. He eventually represented Cádiz in La Liga, continuing his professional involvement in the sport.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 August 1985, Madrid, Spain
- Primary Position: Striker
- La Liga Stats: 361 matches, 128 goals
- National Team Caps: 21
- International Goals: 10
- Notable Club: Manchester City
- Major Honours: Copa del Rey (2010), Premier League (2014), League Cup (2014), Euro 2012
Questions readers ask
Which major trophies did Álvaro Negredo win at Manchester City?
He won both the Premier League title and the League Cup during the 2013–2014 season.
How many goals did Negredo score in La Liga?
He recorded 128 goals over the course of 12 La Liga seasons.
Achievements
- Worked as association football player
