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Fran Mérida

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Mérida and the second or maternal family name is Pérez.

Fran Mérida
Mérida being presented by Espanyol
Personal information
Full name Francisco Mérida Pérez[1]
Date of birth (1990-03-04) 4 March 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth Barcelona, Spain[2]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Youth career
1998–2005 Barcelona
2005–2007 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Arsenal 6 (1)
2008 → Real Sociedad (loan) 17 (1)
2010–2012 Atlético Madrid 20 (0)
2011 → Braga (loan) 5 (0)
2012–2013 Hércules 18 (1)
2013–2014 Athletico Paranaense 6 (1)
2015–2016 Huesca 52 (8)
2016–2020 Osasuna 104 (9)
2020–2022 Espanyol 46 (1)
2022–2023 Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 44 (5)
2024 Lugo 13 (0)
Total 331 (27)
International career
2006–2007 Spain U17 17 (5)
2007–2009 Spain U19 17 (7)
2009 Spain U20 6 (3)
2008–2012 Spain U21 16 (6)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
U-17 World Cup
Runner-up 2007 Korea
European U-17 Championship
Winner 2007 Belgium
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Francisco Mérida Pérez (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈfɾam ˈmeɾiða]; born 4 March 1990) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

He signed at the age of 17 with Arsenal from Barcelona, but only appeared in 16 official games over the course of three seasons with the club. Subsequently, he returned to his country with Atlético Madrid, where he also featured sparingly before leaving in 2012 (but winning the 2010 UEFA Super Cup).[3] In La Liga he also represented Osasuna and Espanyol, having other brief spells abroad in Portugal, Brazil and China.

Mérida played for Spain at youth level.

Club career

Barcelona

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Mérida joined the youth ranks of FC Barcelona at the age of eight,[4] but left the club in September 2005, being reportedly hidden away by his agent, Joseba Díaz, which led to speculation that he would leave with no compensation for the team; his parents had become uneasy about all the young players joining Barcelona and felt that he would have a better chance elsewhere; therefore, they approached Díaz, also Cesc Fàbregas' agent, and he promptly alerted Real Madrid, AC Milan and Arsenal, with the player eventually signing for the latter.[5]

On 9 October 2007, Mérida was ordered by the courts to pay a fee around €3.2 million to Barcelona as compensation for his "failing to meet the terms of a personal pre-contract" with the club. The decision was said to have serious implications for clubs in England, where players were allowed to sign professional contracts at 17, one year earlier than in Spain; in response, a Madrid-based lawyer, Rodrigo García, was quoted as saying: "English teams will now think again before signing a young Spanish player ... It's an important ruling."[6]

Arsenal

Mérida scored in his first-team debut for Arsenal in a friendly against Boreham Wood in August 2006.[7] He signed professional terms with the Gunners after his 17th birthday.[8]

Mérida's competitive debut came on 25 September 2007 when he came on as an added-time substitute for Eduardo da Silva in a 2–0 win against Newcastle United in the third round of the League Cup,[9] and he went on to make two further appearances in the competition. On 3 April 2008, he extended his deal with the club by signing a long-term contract, being expected to play an important role in the future as manager Arsène Wenger described him as "an absolutely amazing player".[10]

On 18 December 2007, Iñaki Badiola, prospective presidential candidate of Real Sociedad, claimed he agreed a loan deal for Mérida until the end of the season in Segunda División.[11] On 9 January of the following year, five days after he won the elections, the move was confirmed.[12] He started in seven of his 17 appearances for the Basques during his five-month spell and made six assists, but they failed to regain their La Liga status. He scored his first professional goal on 6 April 2008, the winner as his team came from behind to defeat Hércules CF 2–1 at Anoeta.[13]

Mérida returned to Arsenal for the 2008–09 campaign, making his first start in a 6–0 victory over Sheffield United in the League Cup on 23 September 2008.[14] On 2 March 2009 Wenger heaped praise on the player, claiming the reason for him making the bench for the previous few first team games was because "He has been doing very, very well. He looks really good in training and is getting stronger all the time."; he made his Premier League debut the following day – hours before his 19th birthday – coming off the bench for Samir Nasri in the dying minutes of a 3–1 win at West Bromwich Albion.[15]

Mérida participated in the 2009 edition of the Emirates Cup. He replaced Aaron Ramsey midway through the second half of the team's first match, against Atlético Madrid, and started and created a goal for Eduardo against Rangers, a 3–0 win which certified the tournament's conquest.[16] He was then included in the first team for the league season and handed shirt number 46 (later changing to 32),[17] playing 20 minutes in the second match against Portsmouth.[18]

On 28 October 2009, in that season's League Cup, Mérida contributed to a 2–1 home defeat of Liverpool, scoring from the edge of the area with the ball hitting the post on its way past goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.[19] After the game, Wenger confirmed how he came close to loan the player to Levante UD at the start of the campaign, changing his mind at the last minute because he had "too much quality" to let him leave.[20] With his contract due to expire in June 2010, he said he was having talks with the club over a new deal and hoped they could come to an agreement,[21] while Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo showed his interest in bringing the youngster back to Spain if something wasn't worked out between player and club.[22]

On 5 November 2009, Arsenal confirmed that Mérida had verbally agreed a deal with the club, but it had yet to be signed.[23] Wenger then accused Atlético of tapping up the player after announcing their public interest of talking to him, saying "I can't say I'm annoyed by other clubs going after our players because we do it as well. But we do it legally." "The difference is that we do not do what is not allowed by the law. We try to get the best players everywhere when it is allowed by the rules."[24]

Mérida made only eight official appearances for Arsenal during the season, including one against Bolton Wanderers on 17 January 2010 in which he scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–0 victory.[25]

Atlético Madrid

On 25 May 2010, Atlético Madrid officially announced that Mérida was on his way to the Vicente Calderón Stadium on a free transfer, after refusing Arsenal's contract offer at the end of the campaign.[26] He scored his first official goal for his new club on 27 October in a 5–0 win against Universidad de Las Palmas CF in the Copa del Rey,[27] repeating the feat in the second leg (1–1 draw at the Vicente Calderón Stadium).[28]

On 16 December 2010, Mérida scored his third goal for the Colchoneros, netting in his first touch in a 1–1 draw at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, with the defending champions of the UEFA Europa League crashing out after the group stage.[29] He started 2011–12 on loan to S.C. Braga in Portugal.[30] In late December 2011, however, after just eight official appearances (five in the Primeira Liga, 132 minutes overall), he was recalled by Atlético.[31]

Hércules

On 8 August 2012, Mérida returned to the Spanish second division by signing a four-year deal at Hércules.[32] His only goal during the second-tier season came from the penalty spot, against Real Madrid Castilla in a 4–2 home loss on 8 October,[33] and he also received a straight red card in a 2–1 defeat at Real Murcia on 6 January 2013 for protesting the awarding of a spot-kick.[34]

Atlético Paranaense

In February 2013, after rescinding his contract for a fee of €100,000,[35] Mérida signed for one year with Brazilian side Clube Atlético Paranaense.[36] An unused substitute for the first half of the Série A season, he made his debut on 19 September away to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, scoring his team's first goal as they came from behind to triumph 4–2;[37] he was the first Spaniard to score in Brazil since José Ufarte for Flamengo in 1964.[38] A week later, in the year's Copa do Brasil, he was sent off for two bookings as a late substitute against Sport Club Internacional in the first game of the quarter-finals,[39] being unused in both legs of the final, a 3–1 aggregate loss to Flamengo.

Mérida competed with the Furacão in the following year's Copa Libertadores, scoring in their penalty shootout victory over Sporting Cristal in the first stage.[40] On 26 March 2014, in the group phase, he was ejected in a 3–1 home loss to Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield.[41] He left in July, as his contract was not extended.[42]

Huesca

Mérida was without a club until 30 January 2015, when he signed a deal at SD Huesca until the end of the campaign in the Segunda División B.[43] He played 15 games as they won Group B and promoted, scoring in a 2–0 win over Rayo Vallecano B at the Estadio El Alcoraz on 29 March.[44]

On 3 December 2015, Mérida scored a penalty as his team beat top-flight club Villarreal CF 3–2 at home in the last 16 of the Spanish Cup,[45] but in an eventual 4–3 aggregate defeat. A month later, he scored and was sent off in a 3–3 draw at neighbours Real Zaragoza.[46]

Osasuna

On 21 July 2016, Mérida returned to the Spanish main division after agreeing to a deal with CA Osasuna.[47] He made his debut for the club on 20 August, replacing fellow debutant Fausto Tienza and scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 away draw against Málaga CF.[48]

Mérida contributed one goal in 31 matches in 2018–19, as his team returned to the top division as champions.[49]

Espanyol

On 19 August 2020, the free agent Mérida moved to RCD Espanyol on a two-year contract with the option of a third.[50] He played 36 times in his first season for the second-tier champions,[51] but was a fringe player subsequently.[52]

Later career

Mérida signed for Chinese Super League side Tianjin Jinmen Tiger F.C. on 5 August 2022, on a free transfer.[53] He returned to Spain in January 2024, on a one-and-a-half-year contract at Primera Federación club CD Lugo.[54]

On 26 September 2024, the 34-year-old Mérida announced his retirement.[55]

International career

Mérida was part of the Spain under-17 squad which won the 2007 UEFA European Championship.[4] In July 2007 he also played for the team in the 2007 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, with the national team finishing second to Nigeria in a shootout, with him missing the second penalty of the three taken.[56]

Mérida was called up to the under-20 side for the 2009 World Cup held in Egypt: he starred in an 8–0 drubbing of Tahiti, scoring the fifth goal and providing an assist.[57] In the next group game he continued his fine form and netted twice in a 2–0 win over Nigeria;[58] after resting against Venezuela he played 70 minutes in the last-16 tie against Italy, which finished with a 3–1 loss.[59]

Personal life

Mérida's sister, Sara, is also a footballer and a midfielder. She played mainly for RCD Espanyol.[60]

Career statistics

As of 10 January 2023[61][62]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2007–08 Premier League 0 0 3 0 0 0 — 3 0
2008–09 Premier League 2 0 3 0 0 0 — 5 0
2009–10 Premier League 4 1 3 1 1[a] 0 — 8 2
Total 6 1 9 1 1 0 0 0 16 2
Real Sociedad 2007–08 Segunda División 17 1 0 0 — — 17 1
Atlético Madrid 2010–11 La Liga 17 0 5 2 4[b] 1 1[c] 0 27 3
2011–12 La Liga 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
Total 20 0 5 2 4 1 1 0 30 3
Braga 2011–12 Primeira Liga 5 0 0 0 2[b] 0 — 7 0
Hércules 2012–13 Segunda División 18 1 1 0 — — 19 1
Athletico Paranaense 2013 Série A 6 1 4 0 0 0 — 10 1
2014 0 0 0 0 6[d] 0 — 6 0
Total 6 1 4 0 6 0 0 0 16 1
Huesca 2014–15 Segunda División B 15 1 0 0 — 6[e] 0 21 1
2015–16 Segunda División 37 7 1 0 — — 38 7
Total 52 8 1 0 0 0 6 0 59 8
Osasuna 2016–17 La Liga 15 1 2 0 — — 17 1
2017–18 Segunda División 35 7 1 0 — — 36 7
2018–19 Segunda División 31 1 0 0 — — 31 1
2019–20 La Liga 23 0 2 1 — — 25 1
Total 104 9 5 1 0 0 0 0 109 10
Espanyol 2020–21 Segunda División 36 1 3 0 — — 39 1
2021–22 La Liga 10 0 3 0 — — 13 0
Total 46 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 52 1
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 2022 Chinese Super League 18 4 0 0 — — 18 4
Career total 292 26 31 4 13 1 7 0 343 31
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Super Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  5. ^ Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs

Honours

Atlético Madrid

Osasuna

Espanyol

Spain U17

References

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  2. ^ a b c "Fran Merída [sic]". Eurosport. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  3. ^ Mitten, Andy (28 October 2015). "Fran Merida Exclusive Interview – Former Arsenal man is happy again after years searching for a home as good as London". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b Saffer, Paul (2 May 2007). "Mérida to make Spain proud". UEFA. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
  5. ^ Fernández, Napoleon (1 November 2006). "El 'hermano pequeño' de Cesc" [Cesc's 'baby brother']. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  6. ^ Bright, Richard (11 October 2007). "Fran Merida hit for £2m by Barcelona". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. ^ Harris, Chris (7 August 2006). "Banfield – We have high hopes for Merida". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2007.
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  9. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (25 September 2007). "Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
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  11. ^ López, Ángel (18 December 2007). "Iñaki Badiola ata a Fran Mérida, del Arsenal, y a Marc Crosas" [Iñaki Badiola ties Fran Mérida, from Arsenal, and Marc Crosas]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Fran Mérida, el primer fichaje de Badiola" [Fran Mérida, Badiola's first signing]. El Correo (in Spanish). 10 January 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
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  27. ^ Melero, Delfín (27 October 2010). "El Atleti adorna el guión establecido" [Atleti embellish pre-arranged script]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  28. ^ "Un golazo de Mérida y poco más en un Calderón fantasmagórico" [Mérida wonder goal and little more in ghoulish Calderón]. Marca (in Spanish). 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  29. ^ "Champions relinquish defence". ESPN Soccernet. 16 December 2010. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  30. ^ "Fran Mérida se va cedido un año al Sporting de Braga" [Fran Mérida goes to Sporting de Braga on loan for one year]. As (in Spanish). 28 August 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  31. ^ Caferoglu, Livio (28 December 2011). "Sporting Braga to send Fran Merida back to Atletico Madrid". Goal. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  32. ^ "El Hércules se refuerza con Fran Mérida y a Portillo" [Hércules strengthen with Fran Mérida and Portillo]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 August 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  33. ^ Díaz, Javier (8 October 2012). "Hércules 2–4 Real Madrid Castilla: El filial blanco remonta y convence" [Hércules 2–4 Real Madrid Castilla: The white reserves bounce back and convince] (in Spanish). Goal. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  34. ^ "El Murcia, liderado por Kike García, remonta ante el Hércules" [Murcia, led by Kike García, bounce back against Hércules]. Marca (in Spanish). 6 January 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  35. ^ V. Belmar, Lucas (13 February 2013). "Fran Mérida paga 100.000 euros al Hércules para irse a Brasil" [Fran Mérida pays 100,000 euros to Hércules in order to go to Brazil]. Diario Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  36. ^ "Atlético-PR fecha com o meia espanhol Fran Mérida" [Atlético-PR agrees with Spanish midfielder Fran Mérida]. Lance! (in Portuguese). 11 February 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  37. ^ "Furacão reage, vira sobre o Fla no Maracanã e provoca saída de Mano" [Hurricane reacts, overturns Fla at the Maracanã and causes Mano's exit] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  38. ^ "Fran Mérida, primer goleador español en Brasil en 50 años" [Fran Mérida, first Spanish goalscorer in Brazil for 50 years]. El Periódico de Catalunya (in Spanish). 20 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  39. ^ "Copa do Brasil wrap: Internacional steal draw". FourFourTwo. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  40. ^ Freire, Fernando (5 February 2014). "Atlético-PR marca no fim, vence nos pênaltis e avança na Libertadores" [Atlético-PR score at the end, win on penalties and advance in the Libertadores] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  41. ^ "Vélez Sarsfield ganó 3–1 a Paranaense y está en octavos de Libertadores" [Vélez Sarsfield win 3–1 at Paranaense and are in the last 16 of the Libertadores] (in Spanish). Radio Programas del Perú. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  42. ^ "Pela porta dos fundos: afastado, trio encerra passagem pelo Atlético-PR" [Through the back door: ostracised, trio closes spell at Atlético Paranaense] (in Portuguese). Surgiu. 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  43. ^ Chesters, Heath (30 January 2015). "Former Arsenal and Atlético man Fran Mérida signs for Huesca". Inside Spanish Football. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  44. ^ Longás, Daniel (29 March 2015). "La SD Huesca golpea más fuerte" [SD Huesca hit harder] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  45. ^ "El Huesca sorprende al Villarreal (3–2)" [Huesca surprise Villarreal (3–2)]. ABC (in Spanish). 3 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  46. ^ "El Huesca rescata un punto en el 93'" [Huesca rescue a point in the 93rd]. Marca (in Spanish). 3 January 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Fran Mérida ficha por Osasuna" [Fran Mérida signs for Osasuna]. Sport (in Spanish). 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  48. ^ Callero, Borja Luis (19 August 2016). "Osasuna empata 'in extremis' en La Rosaleda" [Osasuna draw 'in extremis' at the La Rosaleda]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  49. ^ a b Sanzol, Pablo (18 June 2019). "Los goles del Osasuna campeón" [The goals of champions Osasuna]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  50. ^ "Fran Mérida, primer fichaje" [Fran Mérida, first signing] (in Spanish). RCD Espanyol. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  51. ^ "El tercer año opcional en el contrato de Fran Mérida con el Espanyol no se activará" [The third optional year of Fran Mérida's contract with Espanyol will not be activated] (in Spanish). Diario La Grada. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  52. ^ "Fran Mérida se despide del Espanyol" [Fran Mérida says goodbye to Espanyol]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 6 May 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  53. ^ "Francisco Merida joins Tianjin Jinmen Tigers on free transfer". Xinhua News Agency. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  54. ^ "Fran Mérida, nuevo jugador del CD Lugo" [Fran Mérida, new CD Lugo player] (in Spanish). CD Lugo. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  55. ^ Corbella, Enrique (26 September 2024). "Se retira Fran Mérida, el chico prodigio de la cantera del Barcelona que apuntó a sucesor de Cesc en el Arsenal" [Retirement of Fran Mérida, wonderkid of Barcelona's youth system who was poised to be Cesc's successor at Arsenal]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  56. ^ a b "España pierde la final del Mundial sub-17 ante Nigeria en la tanda de penalties" [Spain lose under-17 World Cup final to Nigeria on penalties]. El País (in Spanish). 9 September 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  57. ^ Silván, Nacho (25 September 2009). "España arrasa en su debut" [Spain crush in debut]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  58. ^ "Fran Mérida marcó los dos goles del triunfo de España ante Nigeria" [Fran Mérida scored both goals of Spain's win against Nigeria]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 29 September 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  59. ^ "España se derrumba ante Italia en el Mundial sub'20" [Spain come apart against Italy in under'20 World Cup]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 5 October 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  60. ^ Roldán, Isabel (3 March 2010). "La hermana de Fran Mérida también es internacional con España" [Fran Mérida's sister is also a Spanish international]. As (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  61. ^ Fran Mérida at Soccerway
  62. ^ Fran Mérida at WorldFootball.net
  63. ^ Harrold, Michael (27 August 2010). "Slick Atlético seal Super Cup success". UEFA. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  64. ^ "El Espanyol cae como campeón ante un Alcorcón salvado" [Espanyol fall as champions against saved Alcorcón]. Sport (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  65. ^ Di Maggio, Roberto. "European U-17 Championship 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
Quelle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_M%C3%A9rida