Álvaro López Ratón (born 29 January 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Greek Super League club Lamia.
 Ratón with Galicia in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Álvaro López Ratón | ||
| Date of birth | 29 January 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | O Carballiño, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lamia | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Arenteiro | |||
| Pabellón | |||
| 2007–2010 | Valencia | ||
| 2010–2011 | Deportivo La Coruña | ||
| 2011–2012 | Montañeros | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2013 | Arroyo | 0 | (0) |
| 2013 | Algeciras | 5 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Betis B | 2 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Villanovense | 15 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Zaragoza B | 43 | (0) |
| 2016–2023 | Zaragoza | 56 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Wisła Kraków | 27 | (0) |
| 2024– | Lamia | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024– | Galicia | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 July 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 3 June 2024 | |||
Club career
Early career
Born in O Carballiño, Ourense, Galicia, Ratón joined Valencia CF's youth setup in 2007, aged 13, after spells at CD Arenteiro and Pabellón CF. He subsequently represented Deportivo de La Coruña and Montañeros CF as a youth, before signing for Arroyo CP in 2012.[1]
After making no appearances for Arroyo, Ratón left the club in December 2012 and moved to Algeciras CF in Tercera División.[2] He made his senior debut on 10 February 2013, starting in a 2–0 home win against CD Alcalá.
Ratón joined Real Betis' reserve team also in the fourth level in June 2013, after impressing on a trial.[3] After being rarely used, he signed with CF Villanovense on 17 July 2014.[4]
Zaragoza
On 12 June 2015 Ratón moved to another reserve team, Real Zaragoza B in the fourth division.[5] On 15 July of the following year, after being an undisputed starter, he renewed his contract until 2019 and was definitely promoted to the first team.[6]
Ratón made his professional debut on 7 September, starting in a 1–2 Copa del Rey home loss against Real Valladolid.[7] He made his Segunda División debut on 23 October, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 away draw against the same opponent.[8]
After overtaking Xabi Irureta and Sebastián Saja in his first season, Ratón spent the following years as a backup to Cristian Álvarez. On 2 June 2023, he left the club after eight seasons as his contract was due to expire.[9]
Wisła Kraków
On 24 June 2023, Ratón moved abroad to join Polish second division side Wisła Kraków on a one-year deal.[10] He made two Polish Cup appearances during the 2023–24 season, in two 2–1 victories over Ekstraklasa clubs Widzew Łódź and Piast Gliwice,[11] as Wisła went on to win the final against Pogoń Szczecin on 2 May 2024.[12]
On 26 April 2024, his contract was extended for another year.[13] He made no further appearances for Wisła past that point, and left the club by mutual consent on 13 June 2024.[14]
Lamia
On 4 July 2024, Ratón signed with Super League Greece club Lamia.[15]
International career
Ratón earned his first cap for Galicia in the region's first match in eight years on 31 May 2024, coming on as a substitute in the 33th minute of a 0–2 friendly loss to Panama.[16]
Honours
Wisła Kraków
References
External links
- Álvaro Ratón at BDFutbol
- Álvaro Ratón profile at La Preferente (in Spanish)
- Álvaro Ratón at Soccerway