Alberto Zapater

Alberto Zapater Arjol (born 13 June 1985 in Zaragoza, Aragon) is a Spain football (soccer) currently playing for Real Zaragoza in the Segunda División, as a defensive midfielder.

Club career

In 2004, Zapater was first touted as a promising young player, after completing a successful season in the youth leagues with hometown Real Zaragoza. Alberto Zapater scored fourteen goals and was noted for being a strong midfielder, with great passing ability.

Then team manager, former Spain national football team Víctor Muñoz, was impressed enough, allowing Zapater to join the first team in pre-season training. Alberto Zapater was given Alberto Zapater first-team debut on Zaragoza's first game of La Liga 2004-05, against Valencia CF in the Supercopa de España. Although Zaragoza ended up losing the first-leg match at home 1-0, Zapater put up a solid performance, confirmed in the 3-1 second leg away win.

At just 19, Zapater went on to feature in 31 league matches during the league campaign, netting in a March 2, 2005 defeat at Real Sociedad, while also receiving Alberto Zapater red card (sports) in the match.

In the La Liga 2005-06 season, Zapater helped the club finish as runners-up in the Copa del Rey to RCD Espanyol, while also only missing three league matches (no goals). During the season, Alberto Zapater strong tackling and the amount of fouls Alberto Zapater committed earned Alberto Zapater the nickname of 'The Bull', given by Argentina national football team football legend Diego Maradona.

From 2006-08, Zapater remained an undisputed starter, only missing four games combined, while experiencing UEFA Cup qualification honours (in La Liga 2006-07) and La Liga 2007-08.

International career

Zapater took part in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, in a side that also featured future Spain national football team Cesc Fàbregas, reaching the last-eight round.

After that, Alberto Zapater immediately established himself as an Spain national under-21 football team regular.