Christian Rivera (Spanish footballer)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Christian Rivera

| image = Cristian Rivera Hernández.jpg

| caption = Rivera with Spain U18 in 2015

| fullname = Christian Rivera Hernández

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|7|9|df=y}}

| birth_place = Gijón, Spain

| height = 1.91 m{{cite web |url=https://www.realsporting.com/jugador/christian-rivera |title=Christian Rivera |language=es |publisher=Sporting de Gijón |access-date=14 October 2022}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| currentclub = Torpedo Kutaisi

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Sporting Gijón

| years1 = 2014–2015

| clubs1 = Oviedo B

| caps1 = 20

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2015–2016

| clubs2 = Oviedo

| caps2 = 13

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2016–2018

| clubs3 = Eibar

| caps3 = 24

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2018

| clubs4 = → Barcelona B (loan)

| caps4 = 18

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2018–2021

| clubs5 = Las Palmas

| caps5 = 9

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2018–2019

| clubs6 = → Huesca (loan)

| caps6 = 22

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2019–2020

| clubs7 = → Leganés (loan)

| caps7 = 5

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2020

| clubs8 = → Girona (loan)

| caps8 = 8

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2021–2024

| clubs9 = Sporting Gijón

| caps9 = 73

| goals9 = 1

| years10 = 2025–

| clubs10 = Torpedo Kutaisi

| caps10 = 0

| goals10 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2015

| nationalteam1 = Spain U18

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2014–2016

| nationalteam2 = Spain U19

| nationalcaps2 = 9

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| club-update = 14 March 2025

| nationalteam-update = 29 March 2016

}}

Christian Rivera Hernández (born 9 July 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Erovnuli Liga club Torpedo Kutaisi.

Club career

Born in Gijón, Asturias, Rivera was a Sporting de Gijón youth graduate. In July 2013 he nearly joined Atlético Madrid,{{cite web |url=http://www.golaverage.com/index.php/id/57/objeto/1247/claves/Continua-el-exodo-de-promesas-sportinguistas |title=Continúa el éxodo de promesas sportinguistas |trans-title=The exodus of pearls sportinguistas continues |publisher=Golaverage |language=es |date=25 July 2013 |accessdate=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015454/http://www.golaverage.com/index.php/id/57/objeto/1247/claves/Continua-el-exodo-de-promesas-sportinguistas |archive-date=7 November 2017 |url-status=live }} but his transfer was blocked by Sporting's board and he was left out of the Juvenil squad; on 2 September of the following year he moved to Real Oviedo instead.{{cite web |url=http://www.lne.es/deportes/2014/09/02/juvenil-cristian-rivera-sporting-oviedo/1636366.html |title=El juvenil Cristian Rivera se va del Sporting al Oviedo |trans-title=Juvenil Cristian Rivera goes from Sporting to Oviedo |publisher=La Nueva España |language=es |date=2 September 2014 |accessdate=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110557/http://www.lne.es/deportes/2014/09/02/juvenil-cristian-rivera-sporting-oviedo/1636366.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}

Initially appearing with the B-team in Tercera División, Rivera was called up to the main squad in May 2015. He made his first team debut on the 16th, starting in a 2–3 away loss against Coruxo FC in the Segunda División B championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.realoviedoireland.com/2015/05/coruxo-3-real-oviedo-2.html |title=Coruxo 3 Real Oviedo 2 |publisher=Real Oviedo Ireland |date=17 May 2015 |accessdate=3 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524000114/http://www.realoviedoireland.com/2015/05/coruxo-3-real-oviedo-2.html |archivedate=24 May 2015 }}

Rivera made his professional debut on 4 October 2015, coming on as a half-time substitute for Diego Aguirre in a 1–1 Segunda División home draw against RCD Mallorca.{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/2015/10/04/futbol/2adivision/1443948587.html |title=El Oviedo se estrella ante el mejor Mallorca de la temporada |trans-title=Oviedo crashes against the best Mallorca of the season |work=Marca |language=es |date=4 October 2015 |accessdate=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008035724/http://www.marca.com/2015/10/04/futbol/2adivision/1443948587.html |archive-date=8 October 2015 |url-status=live }} Thirteen days later he scored his first goal in the category, netting his team's last in a 3–2 home win against AD Alcorcón.{{cite web |url=http://www.marca.com/2015/10/17/futbol/2adivision/1445111339.html |title=La pegada del Oviedo puede con el Alcorcón |trans-title=Oviedo's will can handle Alcorcón |work=Marca |location=Spain |language=es |date=17 October 2015 |accessdate=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018213935/http://www.marca.com/2015/10/17/futbol/2adivision/1445111339.html |archive-date=18 October 2015 |url-status=live }}

On 1 July 2016, Rivera signed a three-year deal with La Liga side SD Eibar.{{cite web |url=http://www.sdeibar.com/noticia/sd-eibar-cierra-la-contratacion-hasta-2019-de-jordi-calavera-y-christian-rivera |title=SD Eibar cierra la contratación hasta 2019 de Jordi Calavera y Christian Rivera |trans-title=SD Eibar complete the signing until 2019 of Jordi Calavera and Christian Rivera |publisher=SD Eibar |language=es |date=1 July 2016 |accessdate=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705162756/http://www.sdeibar.com/noticia/sd-eibar-cierra-la-contratacion-hasta-2019-de-jordi-calavera-y-christian-rivera |archive-date=5 July 2016 |url-status=live }} He made his debut in the category on 19 August, starting in a 1–2 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.

On 11 January 2018, Rivera was loaned to FC Barcelona B in the second division until the end of the season, with an option to buy.{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.es/futbol/barca-b/noticias/2017-2018/acuerdo-con-la-sd-eibar-para-la-cesion-de-rivera |title=Acuerdo con la SD Eibar para la cesión de Rivera |trans-title=Agreement with SD Eibar for the loan of Rivera |publisher=FC Barcelona |language=es |date=11 January 2018 |accessdate=11 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112042927/https://www.fcbarcelona.es/futbol/barca-b/noticias/2017-2018/acuerdo-con-la-sd-eibar-para-la-cesion-de-rivera |archive-date=12 January 2018 |url-status=live }} He moved to fellow second division side UD Las Palmas on 31 July, after agreeing to a four-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/christian-rivera-fichaje-amarillo-procedente-del-eibar |title=Christian Rivera, fichaje amarillo procedente del Eibar |trans-title=Christian Rivera, amarillo signing from Eibar |publisher=UD Las Palmas |language=es |date=31 July 2018 |access-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213124/https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/christian-rivera-fichaje-amarillo-procedente-del-eibar |archive-date=31 July 2018 |url-status=live }}

On 25 October 2018, Rivera joined SD Huesca in the main category on loan until the end of the season, replacing injured Luisinho.{{cite web|url=https://www.sdhuesca.es/noticia/christian-rivera-se-incorpora-a-la-sd-huesca|title=Christian Rivera se incorpora a la SD Huesca|trans-title=Christian Rivera joins SD Huesca|publisher=SD Huesca|language=es|date=25 October 2018|accessdate=26 October 2018}} The following 2 September, after suffering relegation, he moved to CD Leganés also in a temporary deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/christian-rivera-cedido-al-cd-leganes|title=Christian Rivera, cedido al CD Leganés|trans-title=Christian Rivera, loaned to CD Leganés|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=2 September 2019|accessdate=3 September 2019}}

On 31 January 2020, Rivera's loan with Lega was terminated, and he instead joined Girona FC on loan until June.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/christian-rivera-cedido-al-girona-fc|title=Christian Rivera, cedido al Girona FC|trans-title=Christian Rivera, loaned to Girona FC|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=31 January 2020|accessdate=3 February 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/girona/2020/01/31/5e342fd6ca4741d34d8b45c8.html|title=Christian Rivera ya es el nuevo pivote defensivo del Girona|date=2020-01-31|website=Marca.com|language=es|access-date=2020-02-28}} Upon returning, he was assigned to Las Palmas' main squad, but under a layoff;{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/la-ud-las-palmas-aplica-el-erte-a-los-jugadores-raul-fernandez-y-christian-rivera|title=La UD Las Palmas aplica el ERTE a los jugadores Raúl Fernández y Christian Rivera|trans-title=UD Las Palmas apply the ERTE to the players Raúl Fernández and Christian Rivera|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=5 October 2020|accessdate=6 October 2020}} the club later revoked the decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.udlaspalmas.es/noticias/noticia/comunicado-oficial-11|title=Comunicado Oficial|trans-title=Official announcement|publisher=UD Las Palmas|language=es|date=6 October 2020|accessdate=6 October 2020}}

On 19 July 2021, Rivera returned to his first club Sporting after signing a four-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.realsporting.com/noticia/christian-rivera-firma-con-el-sporting-hasta-2025|title=Christian Rivera firma con el Sporting hasta 2025|trans-title=Christian Rivera signs with Sporting until 2025|publisher=Sporting Gijón|language=es|date=19 July 2021|accessdate=10 August 2021}} On 26 June 2024, the club announced his departure at the end of the month.{{cite web|url=https://www.realsporting.com/noticias/comunicado-oficial-christian-rivera|title=Comunicado oficial: Christian Rivera|trans-title=Official announcement: Christian Rivera|publisher=Sportin Gijón|language=es|date=26 June 2024|accessdate=9 July 2024}}

In March 2025, Rivera joined Georgian Erovnuli Liga club Torpedo Kutaisi on a three-year deal. {{cite instagram|postid=DHG-r-aMIKk|title=✍️ 27 წლის ესპანელი საყრდენი ნახევარმცველი კრისტიან რივერა “ტორპედოს” ფეხბურთელია. 🇪🇸 ესპანელმა ნახევარმცველმა ბოლო 3 სეზონი ხიხონის “სპორტინგში” გაატარა. მანამდე კი კარიერის განმავლობაში ესპანურ გუნდებში თამაშობდა, როგორებიცაა: “ლას პალმასი”, “ხირონა”, “ლეგანესი”, “უესკა”, “ეიბარი”, “ბარსელონა B”. ✔️ ესპანეთის ლა ლიგაში რივერამ 51 მატჩი ჩაატარა და 2 გოლი გაიტანა, ხოლო ლა ლიგა 2-ში - 120 მატჩი. იყო ესპანეთის 19-წლამდელთა ნაკრების წევრი, რომლის რიგებში საქართველოს ნაკრების წინააღმდეგ უთამაშია. 📑 გამოცდილმა ესპანელმა “ტორპედოსთან” 3-წლიანი კონტრაქტი გააფორმა. @c6rive 👋🖤|trans-title=✍️ 27-year-old Spanish defensive midfielder Cristian Rivera is a player of Torpedo. 🇪🇸 The Spanish midfielder spent the last 3 seasons at Sporting Gijon. Before that, he played for Spanish teams such as Las Palmas, Girona, Leganes, Huesca, Eibar, and Barcelona B. ✔️ Rivera played 51 matches and scored 2 goals in the Spanish La Liga, and 120 matches in La Liga 2. He was a member of the Spanish U-19 national team, where he played against the Georgian national team. 📑 The experienced Spaniard has signed a 3-year contract with Torpedo. @c6rive 👋🖤|language=Georgian|user=fctorpedokutaisi|author-link=FC Torpedo Kutaisi|date=12 March 2025|accessdate=14 March 2025}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Oviedo \|2014–15 \|Segunda División B \|1	0	0	0	0	0	2Appearances in 2015 Segunda División B play-offs	0	3	0
2015–16 \|Segunda División \|12	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	13	1
colspan="2"\|Total !13	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	16	1
rowspan="3"\|Eibar \|2016–17 \|La Liga \|17	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	22	0
2017–18 \|La Liga \|7	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
colspan="2"\|Total !24	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	30	0
rowspan="3"\|Las Palmas \|2018–19 \|Segunda División \|3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2020–21 \|Segunda División \|6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
colspan="2"\|Total !9	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Huesca (loan) \|2018–19 \|La Liga \|22	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	23	2
Leganés (loan) \|2019–20 \|La Liga \|5	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Girona (loan) \|2019–20 \|Segunda División \|8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
rowspan="4"\|Sporting de Gijón \|2021–22 \|Segunda División \|21	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	25	1
2022–23 \|Segunda División \|24	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	26	1
2023–24 \|Segunda División \|28	0	1	0	0	0	2Appearances in 2024 Segunda División play-offs	0	31	0
colspan="2"\|Total !73	1	7	1	0	0	2	0	82	2
colspan="3"\|Career total !154	4	19	1	0	0	4	0	177	5