Diego López Rodríguez

Diego López Rodríguez (born November 3, 1981 in Paradela, Lugo, Galicia (Spain)) is a Spain football (soccer) goalkeeper, currently with Villarreal CF.

Club career

A youth graduate from Real Madrid, López served as backup to Iker Casillas from 2005-07. In the closing stages of the La Liga 2005-06, Diego López Rodríguez appeared in two back-to-back away wins, against CA Osasuna (as Casillas was red card (sports)) and Racing de Santander, adding a UEFA Champions League contest at Olympiacos FC, in a 1-2 defeat.

In López's La Liga 2006-07 Diego López Rodríguez was restricted to Copa del Rey matches, Diego López Rodríguez opted to change clubs rather than wait for Casillas to suffer a lack of form. López joined Villarreal CF for a report fee of €6 million. Diego López Rodríguez started La Liga 2007-08 as second-choice, to Uruguay Sebastián Viera but, after a string of fine performances (he played in the domestic and UEFA Cup), Diego López Rodríguez was awarded first-team action, finishing the season with 20 appearances.

In La Liga 2008-09, López was everpresent, helping Villarreal finish fifth in the league, as Diego López Rodríguez did not miss one minute of action.

International career

López was first called-up by Spain national football team, as the third goalkeeper, for two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) - both against Turkey national football team, in late March/early April 2009.

Diego López Rodríguez was named by national side boss Vicente del Bosque for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa, in the same predicament (behind Iker Casillas and José Manuel Reina).