Manuel Gavilán (Spanish footballer)

Manuel 'Manu' Gavilán Morales (born 12 July 1991) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward and is currently a free agent.

Manu Gavilán
Gavilán in 2023
Personal information
Full nameManuel Gavilán Morales
Date of birth (1991-07-12) 12 July 1991 (age 32)
Place of birthSeville, Spain
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)Forward
Youth career
Betis
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2008–2010Betis B34(6)
2010–2014Bologna0(0)
2012Piacenza (loan)9(2)
2012–2013Nocerina (loan)3(0)
2013–2014San Marino (loan)22(1)
2014–2015Zamora26(8)
2015–2016Ried18(0)
2016–2017Eldense18(3)
2017–2018Llagostera30(2)
2018Guijuelo16(2)
2018–2019Toledo30(13)
2019–2020Happy Valley8(3)
2020–2022Kitchee21(8)
2022–2023Lee Man12(4)
International career
2008Spain U178(2)
2009Spain U182(0)
2010Spain U191(0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner2008 Türkiye
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 June 2023

Club career

Born in Seville, Andalusia, Gavilán graduated from Real Betis' youth setup, and made his senior debut with the reserves in the 2008–09 season, in the Segunda División B. After attracting interest from Liverpool and other Premier League clubs, he joined Serie A's Bologna F.C. 1909 on 10 August 2010, for 350,000.[1]

Gavilán played his first match as a professional on 18 January 2011, coming on as a substitute for Henry Giménez in the 77th minute of a 1–2 away loss against S.S.C. Napoli in the round of 16 of the Coppa Italia.[2] He subsequently served loans at fellow Italians Piacenza Calcio,[3] A.S.G. Nocerina[4] and San Marino Calcio,[5] only appearing regularly with the latter; he was released in June 2014.

On 6 August 2014, Gavilán returned to Spain and signed a three-year deal with Zamora CF in the third level.[6] He scored his first goal for the team on 26 October, opening the scoring a 4–0 away win over Atlético Astorga FC.[7]

In the following seasons, save for a brief spell in the Austrian Football Bundesliga with SV Ried,[8] Gavilán continued to compete in the Spanish lower leagues, representing in quick succession CD Eldense, UE Llagostera, CD Guijuelo[9] and CD Toledo.[10]

On 31 July 2019, after a two-week trial, he joined Hong Kong Premier League side Happy Valley,[11] leaving on 28 May 2020 after it was decided his contract would not be renewed.[12]

Gavilán signed with Kitchee of the same league on 1 June 2020.[13] On 31 May 2022, Gavilán left the club after finishing his contract.

On 29 July 2022, Gavilán joined Lee Man.

Honours

Kitchee

Spain

References