Leandro Somoza

Leandro Daniel Somoza (born January 26 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentina Football (soccer) midfielder currently playing for Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield in the Primera División Argentina.

Club career

Somoza began his professional career playing for Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield in the Primera División Argentina in 2001. He played for the club for five years and was a key player in the 2004-05 in Argentine football Torneo Clausura ("Closing" Tournament) Primera División Argentina Clausura Tournament won by Vélez.

In 2006 he was transferred to Spain club Villareal CF on a five year contract. At Villarreal he joined fellow countrymen Juan Román Riquelme, Gonzalo Javier Rodríguez, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Fabricio Fuentes and Mariano Barbosa at the La Liga club.

He joined Real Betis on loan during August 2007. He was presented to the media on 14 August. He made his first appearance in a friendly against La Liga side Real Zaragoza on 16 August. His first competitive debut came in the season against Recreativo Huelva on 26 August.

For the 2008-09 in Argentine football Somoza was loaned by Villarreal to his former club, Vélez Sársfield.

International career

Somoza was given his debut for Argentina national football team by new manager Alfio Basile in the friendly international against Brazil national football team at the Emirates Stadium in London, England. Despite Argentina's relatively poor performance and their 3-0 defeat, Basile has kept faith with his young squad, picking Somoza for subsequent squads.