Adrián Colunga
{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{family name hatnote|Colunga|Pérez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Adrián Colunga
| image = Colunga.JPG
| caption = Colunga as a Recreativo player (2009)
| fullname = Adrián Colunga Pérez
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|11|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Oviedo, Spain
| height = {{convert|1.72|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| position = Striker
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Covadonga
| youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Sporting Gijón
| years1 = 2002–2006 | clubs1 = Sporting Gijón B | caps1 = 28 | goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2002 | clubs2 = → Turón (loan) | caps2 = 8 | goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2003 | clubs3 = → Marino (loan) | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2003–2004 | clubs4 = → Ceares (loan)| caps4 = 25 | goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2005–2006 | clubs5 = → Marino (loan) | caps5 = 14 | goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2006 | clubs6 = Soledad | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 9
| years7 = 2006–2007 | clubs7 = Pájara Playas | caps7 = 37 | goals7 = 10
| years8 = 2007–2008 | clubs8 = Las Palmas | caps8 = 34 | goals8 = 13
| years9 = 2008–2010 | clubs9 = Recreativo | caps9 = 46 | goals9 = 11
| years10 = 2010 | clubs10 = → Zaragoza (loan) | caps10 = 16 | goals10 = 7
| years11 = 2010–2014 | clubs11 = Getafe | caps11 = 82 | goals11 = 17
| years12 = 2012 | clubs12 = → Sporting Gijón (loan) | caps12 = 17 | goals12 = 3
| years13 = 2014–2015 | clubs13 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps13 = 17 | goals13 = 3
| years14 = 2015 | clubs14 = → Granada (loan) | caps14 = 4 | goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2016 | clubs15 = Mallorca | caps15 = 8 | goals15 = 2
| years16 = 2016–2017 | clubs16 = Anorthosis | caps16 = 18 | goals16 = 1
| years17 = 2017–2018 | clubs17 = Goa | caps17 = 2 | goals17 = 1
| totalcaps = 377 | totalgoals = 104
| club-update =
}}
Adrián Colunga Pérez (born 17 November 1984) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a striker.
He appeared in 152 La Liga matches over seven seasons, scoring a total of 36 goals for Recreativo, Zaragoza, Getafe, Sporting de Gijón and Granada. He added 54 games and 17 goals in the Segunda División, and also competed professionally in England, Cyprus and India.
Club career
Colunga was born in Oviedo, Asturias. After unsuccessfully emerging through Sporting de Gijón's youth system he made his professional debut on loan, in the Segunda División B with Marino de Luanco – also in his native region – going on to serve several others in the third tier and Tercera División while also spending the 2004–05 season for Sporting's reserves.
In January 2006, Colunga was definitely released by Gijón and, after a spell in the fourth division and another in the third, joined UD Las Palmas of the Segunda División. He scored 13 league goals (second-best in the squad) in the 2007–08 campaign for a Canary Islands side that was threatened with relegation until the last month of competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.rtpa.es/deportes:Adrian-Colunga-jugara-en-el-Sporting-hasta-final-de-temporada_111328045552.html|title=Adrián Colunga jugará en el Sporting hasta final de temporada|trans-title=Adrián Colunga will play in Sporting until end of the season|publisher=Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias|language=Spanish|date=31 January 2012|accessdate=6 October 2019}}
Colunga was then bought by Recreativo de Huelva in La Liga, in a four-year contract worth €2.7 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.europapress.es/deportes/futbol-00162/noticia-futbol-adrian-colunga-segundo-fichaje-mas-caro-historia-recre-llega-dispuesto-no-defraudar-nadie-20080717152445.html|title=Adrián Colunga, segundo fichaje más caro de la historia del 'Recre', llega dispuesto a "no defraudar a nadie"|trans-title=Adrián Colunga, the second most expensive signing in Recre history, arrives willing to "not let anyone down"|publisher=Europa Press|language=Spanish|date=17 July 2008|accessdate=1 January 2009}} In his debut for the team, on 31 August 2008, he netted the game's only goal in an away win against Andalusia neighbours Real Betis.{{cite web|url=http://www.huelvainformacion.es/article/deportes/219013/colunga/fue/debut/sonado.html|title=Colunga: "Fue el debut soñado"|trans-title=Colunga: "It was a dream debut"|publisher=Huelva Información|language=Spanish|date=2 September 2008|accessdate=9 April 2011}}
Alternating between starts and games from the bench in his first year, Colunga entered the club's history when he scored a penalty kick in a 4–1 loss at Deportivo de La Coruña on 21 December, his fourth consecutive game achieving the feat.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252766&cc=5739|title=Deportivo La Coruña 4–1 Recreativo Huelva|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=21 December 2008|accessdate=4 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026100427/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=252766&cc=5739|archive-date=26 October 2012}} Spanish football pundit Guillem Balagué compared the player, in his weekly report of first division encounters, to Valencia CF's David Villa;{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,12087_5192142,00.html|title=One to watch|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 April 2009|accessdate=16 April 2009}} despite a first fruitful year individually, Recre ranked last.
On 23 January 2010, after experiencing personal problems in the new season at Recreativo, which included a confrontation with club fans,{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2010/01/18/futbol/equipos/recreativo/1263848350.html|title=Un grupo de aficionados increpa a Colunga y causa daños en su coche|trans-title=Group of fans insults Colunga and damages his car|newspaper=Marca|language=Spanish|date=18 January 2010|accessdate=25 January 2010}} Colunga was loaned to Real Zaragoza of the top flight until June.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=729825&cc=5739|title=Zaragoza sign Colunga as Ayala leaves|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=23 January 2010|accessdate=23 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604030439/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=729825&cc=5739|archive-date=4 June 2011}} He scored on his debut eight days later, a 3–1 away victory over CD Tenerife,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275695&cc=5739|title=Gay inspires memorable triumph|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=31 January 2010|accessdate=4 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504175655/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=275695&cc=5739|archive-date=4 May 2010}} and finished the campaign as the team's top scorer in only four months of play, with the Aragonese finally escaping relegation.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldo.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/real-zaragoza/2016/04/07/dos-que-tumbaron-zaragoza-841286-611027.html|title=Dos ex que ya tumbaron al Real Zaragoza|trans-title=Two ex who have already downed Real Zaragoza|newspaper=Heraldo de Aragón|first=Paco|last=Giménez|language=Spanish|date=7 April 2016|accessdate=12 February 2021}}
On 5 August 2010, Colunga was sold to Getafe CF as Kepa Blanco moved in the opposite direction.{{cite web|url=http://www.recreativohuelva.com/pag/noticias_detalle.asp?idnoticias=7219&seccion=Noticias|title=Kepa Blanco nuevo delantero del Decano|trans-title=Kepa Blanco new Dean forward|publisher=Recreativo Huelva|language=Spanish|date=5 August 2010|accessdate=14 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524143709/http://www.recreativohuelva.com/pag/noticias_detalle.asp?idnoticias=7219&seccion=Noticias|archive-date=24 May 2012}} He was loaned to Sporting Gijón in January 2012, scoring three times in 13 starts during his short spell but suffering top-division relegation.
Colunga transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion on 25 August 2014 for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28927768|title=Adrian Colunga: Brighton & Hove Albion sign Getafe striker|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=7 October 2015}} He scored on his debut the following day, contributing to a 4–2 away defeat of Swindon Town in the second round of the League Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?matchid=3769729|title=Report: Swindon 2 Albion 4|publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|first=Adam|last=Tighe|date=26 August 2014|accessdate=7 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124123406/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?matchid=3769729|archive-date=24 November 2015}} He added a further three in the English Championship before the close of the year, with away strikes against Bournemouth (3–2 loss),{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29767189|title=AFC Bournemouth 3–2 Brighton & Hove Albion|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 November 2014|accessdate=23 November 2015}} Norwich City (3–3){{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30064825|title=Norwich City 3–3 Brighton & Hove Albion|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 November 2014|accessdate=23 November 2015}} and Fulham (2–0).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30572357|title=Fulham 0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 December 2014|accessdate=23 November 2015}}
Following the appointment of Chris Hughton as new manager, Colunga found first-team opportunities difficult and, in the very last day of the 2015 January transfer window, joined Granada CF on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent transfer in June.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31073857|title=Brighton: Adrian Colunga joins La Liga side Granada on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2015|accessdate=7 October 2015}} However, after featuring rarely, he returned to Brighton and eventually had his contract terminated by mutual consent on 7 October.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34469204|title=Adrian Colunga: Brighton release Spanish forward|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 October 2015|accessdate=7 October 2015}}
On 2 September 2017, the 32-year-old Colunga switched to the Indian Super League with FC Goa{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/fc-goa-sign-edu-bedia-adrian-colunga-4824535/|title=FC Goa sign Edu Bedia, Adrian Colunga|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=2 September 2017|accessdate=17 December 2017}} after stints with RCD Mallorca and Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta FC.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariodemallorca.es/rcd-mallorca/2016/08/31/colunga-marcha-harto-vazquez-defraudado/1146038.html|title=Colunga se marcha harto de Vázquez: "Me ha defraudado"|trans-title=Colunga leaves tired of Vázquez: "He disappointed me"|newspaper=Diario de Mallorca|first=Jaume|last=Bauzà|language=Spanish|date=1 September 2016|accessdate=17 December 2017}} He made his debut on 16 December, scoring in the last minutes of a 5–1 victory against Delhi Dynamos FC.{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/sports/isl-2017-fc-goa-pump-in-five-past-delhi-dynamos-go-top-of-the-table-1606355.html|title=ISL 2017: FC Goa pump in five past Delhi Dynamos, go top of the table|publisher=News18 India|date=16 December 2017|accessdate=17 December 2017}}
Colunga's contract was terminated by mutual agreement on 25 January 2018, after he refused to play second-fiddle to compatriot Coro.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/isl-fc-goa-start-hunt-for-new-striker-as-they-partways-with-adrian-colunga/articleshow/62641390.cms|title=ISL: FC Goa start hunt for new striker as they part ways with Adrian Colunga|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Marcus|last=Mergulhao|date=25 January 2018|accessdate=25 January 2018}} Four days later, he announced his retirement.{{cite news|url=https://www.laprovincia.es/deportes/2018/01/31/adrian-colunga-ex-ud-pajara/1023272.html|title=Adrián Colunga, ex de la UD y Pájara, se retira|trans-title=Adrián Colunga, formerly of UD and Pájara, retires|newspaper=La Provincia|language=Spanish|date=31 January 2018|accessdate=6 January 2019}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Marino (loan)
|2002–03{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j6359.html|title=Adrián Colunga: Adrián Colunga Pérez|publisher=BDFutbol|accessdate=17 December 2017}} |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| Ceares (loan)
|2003–04{{cite web|url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/es/j/j6359.html?manager=1|title=Adrián Colunga: Adrián Colunga Pérez|publisher=BDFutbol|accessdate=25 June 2022}} |25 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 7 | ||
| Sporting Gijón B
|Tercera División |27 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 6 | ||
| Marino (loan)
|Segunda División B |14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | ||
| Pájara Playas (loan)
|Segunda División B |37 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs|name=RPO}} | 2 | 39 | 12 | |
| Las Palmas | 2007–08
|33 | 13 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 13 | |
| rowspan="3"|Recreativo | 2008–09
|33 | 9 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 9 | |
| |2009–10
|Segunda División |13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!46 | 11 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 48 | 11 | ||
| Zaragoza (loan) | 2009–10
|La Liga |16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 7 | |
| rowspan="5"|Getafe
|La Liga |29 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} | 0 | 37 | 7 | |
| 2011–12
|La Liga |4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13
|La Liga |22 | 6 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 6 | ||
| 2013–14
|La Liga |27 | 4 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 5 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 98 | 18 | |
| rowspan="1"|Sporting Gijón (loan)
|La Liga |17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 3 | ||
| rowspan="1|Brighton & Hove Albion
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|56360|2014|accessdate=17 December 2017}} |17 | 3 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 4 | ||
| Granada (loan)
|La Liga |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Mallorca
|Segunda División |7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 2 | ||
| 2016–17
|Segunda División |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 2 | ||
| Anorthosis
|2016–17{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/adrian-colunga-perez/59272/|title=Adrián Colunga|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=23 January 2018}} |18 | 1 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 20 | 2 | ||
| Goa
|2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!351 | 83 | 20 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 380 | 88 |
{{Notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|6359}}
- {{UEFA player}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Colunga, Adrian}}
Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Oviedo
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Tercera División players
Category:Sporting de Gijón B players
Category:Marino de Luanco footballers
Category:UD Las Palmas players
Category:Recreativo de Huelva players
Category:Real Zaragoza players
Category:Getafe CF footballers
Category:Sporting de Gijón players
Category:Granada CF footballers
Category:English Football League players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Cypriot First Division players
Category:Anorthosis Famagusta FC players
Category:Indian Super League players
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Cyprus
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in India
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England