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Francisco Sandaza

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sandaza and the second or maternal family name is Asensio.
Francisco Sandaza
Sandaza with Girona in 2015
Personal information
Full name Francisco José Sandaza Asensio
Date of birth (1984-11-30) 30 November 1984 (age 39)
Place of birth Toledo, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Leganés
Coslada
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Toledo B
2004 Toledo 7 (1)
2004–2008 Valencia B 36 (23)
2005 → Onda (loan) 12 (4)
2006–2007 → Puçol (loan) 20 (15)
2008–2010 Dundee United 38 (11)
2010–2011 Brighton & Hove Albion 19 (4)
2011–2012 St Johnstone 27 (23)
2012–2013 Rangers 14 (3)
2013–2014 Lugo 26 (10)
2014–2015 Girona 38 (16)
2015–2016 FC Tokyo 8 (2)
2016–2018 Girona 34 (9)
2017 → Al Ahli (loan) 0 (0)
2018 Qingdao Huanghai 12 (5)
2019–2020 Alcorcón 31 (4)
2020–2021 Hyderabad 11 (4)
2021–2022 Extremadura 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francisco "Fran" José Sandaza Asensio (Spanish pronunciation: [fɾanˈθisko sanˈdaθa]; born 30 November 1984) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He achieved Segunda División totals of 127 games and 34 goals for Lugo, Girona and Alcorcón, but spent most of his career abroad. He represented Dundee United, St Johnstone and Rangers in Scotland, in addition to brief spells in England, Qatar, Japan, China and India.

Career

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Valencia B

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Sandaza joined Valencia in 2002 and played in the Primera División outfit's reserve team. Before, Sandaza played on loan in UD Puçol in the Tercera División (his coach that year in UD Puçol was Luis Milla). He considered leaving full-time football to become a police officer.[1][2] Sandaza is also good friend with Valencia's teammate and now Barcelona player Jordi Alba, during his time at Valencia B.[3]

Dundee United

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On 11 July 2008, Sandaza instead signed for Scottish Premier League side Dundee United,[4] making his league début exactly a month later.[5] After scoring three goals in pre-season, he scored his first competitive goal for the club in the 1–1 draw against Celtic on 17 August 2008.[6] In September, Sandaza scored his second and netted four times in the first half of November, including a double against eventual champions, Rangers. Injury halted Sandaza's progress towards the end of the year and he didn't score again until late February,[7] scoring three more times in March. In his first season in Scotland, Sandaza scored ten league goals, with five coming against the Old Firm.

A groin injury prevented Sandaza from starting the 2009–10 season, with a November operation likely to see him return by the end of 2009.[8] Hernia problems restricted his appearances during the season, and he was struggling to get into the United first team so in August 2010 was allowed to go on trial with Swansea City.[9] Sandaza was eventually released by United on 31 August, allowing him to sign for another club as a free agent after the closure of the transfer window.[10] During his time at Dundee United, Sandaza earned a nickname "Braveheart" by the club's supporters.[11]

Brighton & Hove Albion

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Sandaza signed for Brighton & Hove Albion under their new manager Gus Poyet.[12] Sandaza made his debut for the club, coming on for Glenn Murray in the 69th minute, in a 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. A few weeks later, Sandaza scored his first goal, a winning goal in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic. In the FA Cup campaign, Sandaza scored two goals in two consecutive games, in separate round victories against United of Manchester and Portsmouth. Two months later, on 22 February 2011, he scored again, but this time it's against Plymouth (the team he made his debut against). However, his time at Brighton was limited after his first team was he was surplus to requirements, due to goalscoring form of Ashley Barnes and Glenn Murray. At the end of the season, the club would get promoted to the Championship.

In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players.[13]

St Johnstone

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On 25 July 2011, Sandaza signed a one-year deal with St Johnstone.[14] Sandaza scored 12 goals in his first 17 appearances for St Johnstone, which prompted the club to offer him an extended contract.[15] Due to his goalscoring form for St Johnstone, Rangers made a pre-contract offer for Sandaza as his contract was set to expire at the end of the season. Sandaza eventually rejected Rangers' offers, claiming he did not want to be a 'cheap' option.[16] Following his decision to reject the move, the Glasgow club entered administration, leading Sandaza to say he was relieved to have turned down a pre-contract deal, while acknowledging his sympathy for Rangers' plight.[17] Sandaza became a free agent after announcing he was leaving the club.[18]

"It was really disappointing and not the way I wanted to say goodbye. We had a couple of chances in the first-half and I had one later. My dad saw it on television in Spain and said my goal was onside and should have counted.It was my last game for St Johnstone and I wanted to say goodbye with a goal. It has been a very successful year for myself and for the club. When I came here the objective was to get into the top six and we have done that. Derek McInnnes and Steve Lomas are both good managers and I am grateful to them for giving me my chance. I also want to thank the club and the supporters. I will always love the club and who knows, maybe I will come back one day. Never say never."

— Sandaza on leaving the club.[18]

Rangers

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On 7 August 2012, Sandaza signed a three-year deal with Rangers, who had to start life again in the Scottish Third Division after administration and then subsequent liquidation.[19] On 18 August, Sandaza scored his first Rangers goal and provided a double assist in front of a 49,118 crowd at Ibrox, as Rangers won 5–1 against East Stirlingshire.[20] On 20 January, Sandaza scored his second Rangers goal away to Peterhead to give the light blues a 1–0 victory.[21] In September, Sandaza soon suffered an injury on a cheekbone and was taken to hospital for an X-ray after clashed heads with Motherwell's Shaun Hutchinson in the Scottish League Cup, which Rangers won 2–0. His injury was estimated to rule him out for eight weeks, with possibilities of being out for the rest of the year.[22]

In December 2012, Sandaza alleged to Spanish newspaper Diario AS that Rangers – a club with a strong Protestant identity – had told him to stop making the Catholic sign of the cross. The club denied these allegations, pointing out that former club icons Lorenzo Amoruso and Shota Arveladze crossed themselves regularly.[23]

In March 2013, Sandaza was duped into discussing a possible transfer from Rangers to the Major League Soccer by a hoax telephone caller posing as a football agent. The caller was a supporter of Rangers' rival Celtic FC. Sandaza admitted to the hoax caller that he was only at Rangers for the money and would leave if an alternative offer was made, suitable for the club as well. His comments resulted in his being suspended by the club following a decision and an immediate investigation into the comment.[24] He did not appear in training or play for the club again after that incident. During his suspension, Sandaza feared his Rangers career might be over as he suspected that club owner Charles Green wished to sell him. That fear was proven correct as the club, after an investigation into the 'hoax agent' incident, terminated his contract subject to the right of appeal.[25] Following his release, Mark Hateley wrote in the Daily Record and spoke negatively about Sandaza, but stated that Sandaza leaving would be like a new signing.[26]

Shortly after his release, Sandaza attempted to sue the club over this breach of contract.[27] On 18 July 2013, Sandaza dropped his lawsuit against the club and the hoaxer.[28]

Lugo

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After leaving Rangers, Sandaza went on trial in Romania at Liga I club Petrolul Ploiești, but was not offered a contract and returned to Spain.[29] On 18 July 2013, Sandaza signed a contract with CD Lugo, returning to Spain after five years abroad.[30] Upon joining the club, Sandaza expected to score many goals ahead of the new season.[31]

Sandaza made his Lugo debut, in the opening game of the season, playing 90 minutes, in a 0–0 draw against Numancia.[32] Sandaza scored in the next game on 24 August 2013, in a 2–1 loss against Barcelona B.[33] His second goal then came on 21 September 2013, in a 1–0 win over Tenerife.[34] His third goal later came on 12 October 2013, in a 1–0 win over Córdoba.[35] Sandaza later scored fourth and fifth goals against Alcorcón[36] and Alavés.[37]

However, Sandaza suffered a muscle injury,[38] sprained ankle[39] and muscle tear during the season.[40] Despite the injuries, Sandaza made twenty-seven appearances and scoring five times in all competitions. It was announced on 14 June 2014 that Sandaza was released by the club.[41]

Girona

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On 17 July 2014, Sandaza joined Girona on a one-year contract.[42]

After being on the bench in the opening game of the season against Racing de Santander, Sandaza scored two goals in two games against Alcorcón (which was his debut)[43] and Tenerife.[44] By the end of 2014, Sandaza scored five more goals against Ponferradina,[45] Mirandés,[46] Leganés[47] and Alavés.[48]

Later in the 2014–15 season, Sandaza later scored nine more goals against Lugo,[49] Alcorcón,[50] Numancia,[51] Leganés,[52] Recreativo de Huelva,[53] FC Barcelona B,[54] Llagostera,[55] Mallorca[56] and Lugo.[57]

In his first season at Girona, Sandaza made forty-two appearances and scoring sixteen times in all competitions.

Later career

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On 8 July 2015, Sandaza moved joined J1 League side FC Tokyo.[58][59]

On 8 July 2016, after being sparingly used at FC Tokyo, Sandaza returned to Girona after agreeing to a two-year contract.[60] Roughly one year later he was loaned to Al Ahli SC;[61] after sustaining an injury which took him out of the first matches of the campaign, he was unable to play until January due to being unregistered.[62]

On 5 February 2018, Sandaza terminated his contract with the Blanquivermells,[63] and subsequently joined China's Qingdao Huanghai FC. He returned to Spain on 18 December 2018, after agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract with Alcorcón.[64]

On 15 September 2020, Sandaza terminated his contract with Alkor.[65] Days later, he signed a one-year deal with Indian Super League club Hyderabad FC.[66]

Personal life

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Toward the end of the 2011–12 season, Sandaza was banned from driving after admitting to being more than twice the legal limit when he was caught driving the wrong way down a one-way street in Perth. After initially letting him go, police became concerned about the way he drove off and pulled him over again a short time later to perform a breathalyzer test. At Perth Sheriff Court, Sandaza was given a 16-month driving ban and fined £550.[67]

Club statistics

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As of 18 December 2021[68]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee United 2008–09 Scottish Premier League 31 10 1 0 3 0 — — 35 10
2009–10 Scottish Premier League 7 1 1 0 0 0 — — 8 1
Total 38 11 2 0 3 0 — — 43 11
Brighton & Hove Albion 2010–11 League One 15 2 4 2 0 0 — — 19 4
St Johnstone 2011–12 Scottish Premier League 26 14 3 1 2 3 — — 31 18
Rangers 2012–13 Scottish Third Division 14 2 1 0 2 0 — 2 0 19 2
Lugo 2013–14 Segunda División 26 5 1 0 — — — 27 5
Girona 2014–15 Segunda División 36 16 0 0 — — 2 0 38 16
FC Tokyo 2015 J1 League 8 0 0 0 1 0 — — 9 0
2016 1 0 — — 1 0 — 2 0
Total 9 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 — 11 0
Girona 2016–17 Segunda División 34 9 1 0 — — — 35 9
Al Ahli (loan) 2017–18 Qatar Stars League 0 0 0 0 — — — 0 0
Qingdao Huanghai 2018 China League One 12 5 0 0 — — — 12 5
Alcorcón 2018–19 Segunda División 10 1 — — — — 10 1
2019–20 21 3 1 0 — — — 22 3
Total 31 4 1 0 — — — 32 4
Hyderabad 2020–21 Indian Super League 11 4 — — — — 11 4
Extremadura 2021–22 Primera Federación 8 0 0 0 — — — 8 0
Career total 260 72 13 3 8 3 1 0 4 0 286 78

Honours

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Valencia Mestalla

Brighton & Hove Albion

Rangers

References

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  1. ^ "Sandaza ignores Spanish interest". BBC Sport. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  2. ^ "Francisco Sandaza: I almost quit football to become a cop". Daily Record. 3 May 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Francisco Sandaza: I told Jordi Alba that Rangers have more passion than Barcelona". Daily Record. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Sandaza signs for United". Dundee United F.C. 11 July 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Hamilton Accies 3–1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2008.
  6. ^ Lindsay, Clive (17 August 2008). "Dundee United 1–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
  7. ^ "Francisco Sandaza missing for Rangers visit". Daily Record. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Sandaza groin operation postponed". BBC Sport. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  9. ^ "Swansea trial for Dundee Utd striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  10. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  11. ^ "Sandaza, a la conquista de la Copa Escocesa" (in Spanish). Marca. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Brighton & Hove Albion sign striker Francisco Sandaza". BBC Sport. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  13. ^ "Poyet to release six of Brighton and Hove Albion squad". BBC Sport. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  14. ^ "Saints snap up striker". St Johnstone F.C. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  15. ^ Spence, Jim (4 January 2012). "St Johnstone unfazed by Francisco Sandaza contract 'snub'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Sandaza explains snub". Sky Sports. 15 January 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  17. ^ "Sandaza glad he rejected Gers". Sky Sports. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  18. ^ a b "Sandaza bows out". Perthshire Advertiser. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  19. ^ "Rangers sign Kevin Kyle, Fran Sandaza and Emilson Cribari". BBC Sport. 7 August 2012.
  20. ^ "Rangers v E Stirling – 18th Aug 2012 – Report – Scottish Third – Sky Sports Football". Sky Sports.
  21. ^ "Scottish Third Division: Fran Sandaza gives Rangers a 1-0 victory at Peterhead". Sky Sports. 20 January 2013.
  22. ^ "Francisco Sandaza could be out for the rest of the year with broken cheekbone". Sky Sports. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  23. ^ Orr, Ian (28 December 2012). "Rangers deny telling Fran Sandaza not to bless himself at Ibrox". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Rangers suspend Francisco Sandaza over comments made in hoax call". The Guardian. London. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  25. ^ "Rangers terminate Francisco Sandaza contract after hoax call". BBC Sport. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  26. ^ "I've no sympathy for Francisco Sandaza.. he let Rangers down". Daily Record. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  27. ^ "PFA remain in dark over Sandaza's intentions". Herald Scotland. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  28. ^ "Rangers agree to terminate Francisco Sandaza contract". BBC Sport. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  29. ^ "Sandaza, a prueba en el Petrolul Ploiesti de Contra" (in Spanish). Marca. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  30. ^ El Lugo ficha a Fran Sandaza (Lugo signs Fran Sandaza); Marca, 18 July 2013 (in Spanish)
  31. ^ "Sandaza: "Espero marcar muchos goles en el Lugo"" (in Spanish). Marca. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Lugo y Numancia firman un pacto de no agresión" (in Spanish). Marca. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  33. ^ "El Barça B consigue sus primeros puntos a costa del Lugo" (in Spanish). Marca. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Sandaza agrava la delicada situación tinerfeñista" (in Spanish). Marca. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  35. ^ "El Lugo supera las expectativas" (in Spanish). Marca. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  36. ^ "El Alcorcón se lleva los tres puntos de Lugo con diez jugadores" (in Spanish). Marca. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Nueve jornadas después y con un gol al final vence el Alavés" (in Spanish). Marca. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  38. ^ "Anduva mide la mala racha de Mirandés y Lugo" (in Spanish). Marca. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  39. ^ "El Lugo dirimirá ante un Castilla al alza si mira arriba o abajo" (in Spanish). Marca. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Fran Sandaza se rompe en el entrenamiento" (in Spanish). Marca. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  41. ^ "Sigue el carrusel de bajas en el Lugo: Fran Sandaza y Prieto" (in Spanish). Marca. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  42. ^ "Fran Sandaza ya es nuevo delantero del Girona" (in Spanish). Marca. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  43. ^ "El Girona remonta el partido en diez minutos" (in Spanish). Marca. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  44. ^ "Tres de tres del Girona" (in Spanish). Marca. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  45. ^ "Máxima efectividad de un Girona que recupera la buena línea" (in Spanish). Marca. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  46. ^ "El Girona se afianza líder ante un Mirandés que acabó con nueve" (in Spanish). Marca. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  47. ^ "Sandaza derrumba la fortaleza de Butarque en el descuento" (in Spanish). Marca. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  48. ^ "El Girona se aleja de la cabeza" (in Spanish). Marca. 20 December 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  49. ^ "A un serio Girona le bastan dos minutos malos del Lugo" (in Spanish). Marca. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  50. ^ "Un sólido Girona resuelve tras el descanso y se sitúa segundo". Marca. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  51. ^ "El Girona amarra los tres puntos gracias a dos penaltis" (in Spanish). Marca. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  52. ^ "El Girona remonta en una gran segunda parte" (in Spanish). Marca. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  53. ^ "Segundo y mirando al ascenso" (in Spanish). Marca. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  54. ^ "El Girona mantiene el pulso por Primera" (in Spanish). Marca. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  55. ^ "A este Girona no hay quien le baje de la segunda plaza" (in Spanish). Marca. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  56. ^ "Sandaza deja el ascenso a tiro" (in Spanish). Marca. 31 May 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  57. ^ "El Lugo empata en el añadido y envía al Girona a la promoción" (in Spanish). Marca. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  58. ^ サンダサ選手 加入のお知らせ (in Japanese). FC Tokyo. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  59. ^ 登録選手追加・変更・抹消のお知らせ (in Japanese). J. League Division 1. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  60. ^ "Sandaza tornarà a vestir la samarreta del Girona" [Sandaza will wear the shirt of Girona once again] (in Catalan). Girona FC. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  61. ^ "Sandaza jugará cedido en Qatar" [Sandaza will play on loan in Qatar] (in Spanish). Girona FC. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  62. ^ "El Al-Ahli de Caparrós 'corta' por sorpresa a Fran Sandaza" [Caparrós' Al-Ahli surprisingly 'cut' Fran Sandaza] (in Spanish). Marca. 4 October 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  63. ^ "Fran Sandaza rescinde el contrato con el Girona" [Fran Sandaza rescinds contract with Girona] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  64. ^ "Fran Sandaza se une a la AD Alcorcón hasta 2021" [Fran Sandaza joins AD Alcorcón until 2021] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  65. ^ "Acuerdo para la rescisión del contrato con Fran Sandaza" [Agreement for the rescision of contract with Fran Sandaza] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  66. ^ "Experienced attacker pens one-year deal with Marquez's side". hyderabadfc.co.in. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  67. ^ "Ban for St Johnstone's Francisco Sandaza after drink driving conviction". BBC News. 27 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  68. ^ "Fran Sandaza". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  69. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
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