Fran Navarro
{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Navarro|Aliaga|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Fran Navarro
| image =
| fullname = Francisco José Navarro Aliaga
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|02|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = Valencia, Spain
| height = 1.80 m
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Braga
(on loan from Porto)
| clubnumber = 39
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Levante
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Valencia
| years1 = 2015–2021
| clubs1 = Valencia B
| caps1 = 98
| goals1 = 27
| years2 = 2019–2021
| clubs2 = Valencia
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2019–2020
| clubs3 = → Lokeren (loan)
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2021–2023
| clubs4 = Gil Vicente
| caps4 = 66
| goals4 = 33
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Porto
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2024
| clubs6 = → Olympiacos (loan)
| caps6 = 16
| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2024–
| clubs7 = → Braga (loan)
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2013
| nationalteam1 = Spain U16
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2014–2015
| nationalteam2 = Spain U17
| nationalcaps2 = 13
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2016
| nationalteam3 = Spain U18
| nationalcaps3 = 2
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2015–2017
| nationalteam4 = Spain U19
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 2
| nationalyears5 = 2016
| nationalteam5 = Spain U20
| nationalcaps5 = 6
| nationalgoals5 = 1
| club-update = 15 March 2025
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Francisco José "Fran" Navarro Aliaga ({{IPA|ca-valencia|fɾən naˈvaro}}; born 3 February 1998) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Portuguese club Braga on loan from Porto.
Club career
=Valencia=
Born in Valencia, Navarro moved as a youth across the city from Levante UD to Valencia CF, where he played mostly with the reserve team in Segunda División B. He had his sole call-up for the first team for their La Liga match at home to Villarreal CF on 26 January 2019, due to Kévin Gameiro's injury;{{cite news |last1=Esteve |first1=David |title=Valencia: Fran Navarro, novedad en la lista ante el Villarreal|trans-title=Valencia: Fran Navarro, new face in the list against Villarreal|url=https://as.com/futbol/2019/01/26/primera/1548505744_920471.html |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Diario AS |date=26 January 2019 |language=Spanish}} he did not leave the substitutes' bench in the 3–0 win.{{cite news |last1=García |first1=Óscar |title=El Valencia emerge y hunde más al submarino|trans-title=Valencia emerge and sink the submarine further|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/cronica/2019/01/26/5c4cca9b22601d92178b4571.html |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Marca |date=26 January 2019 |language=Spanish}}
On 11 July 2019, Navarro was loaned to K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen of the Belgian First Division B for the upcoming season.{{cite news |title=El Valencia cede a Fran Navarro al Lokeren|trans-title=Valencia loan Fran Navarro to Lokeren |url=https://es.besoccer.com/noticia/el-valencia-cede-a-fran-navarro-al-lokeren-670778 |access-date=1 October 2021 |publisher=Be Soccer |date=11 July 2019 |language=Spanish}} He scored his first professional goal on 26 September, in a 4–2 extra-time loss to Royal Antwerp F.C. in the seventh round of the national cup,{{cite news |title=Croky Cup - L'Antwerp, dernier qualifié pour les huitièmes, bat Lokeren 4-2 après prolongations|trans-title=Croky Cup - Antwerp, last team qualified for the last 16, beat Lokeren 4-2 after extra time|url=https://www.rtl.be/sport/football/croky-cup/croky-cup-l-antwerp-dernier-qualifie-pour-les-huitiemes-bat-lokeren-4-2-apres-prolongations-1160554.aspx |access-date=1 October 2021 |publisher=RTL Group |date=26 September 2019 |language=French}} and netted his only league goal on 5 October in a 3–2 win at leaders OH Leuven.{{cite news |title=Proximus League - Lokeren verrast leider OHL in Leuven|trans-title=Proximus League - Lokeren surprise leaders OHL in Leuven|url=https://nl.metrotime.be/nieuws/proximus-league-lokeren-verrast-leider-ohl-leuven |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Metro |date=5 October 2019 |language=Dutch}}
=Gil Vicente=
Navarro moved to Gil Vicente F.C. of Portugal's Primeira Liga on 26 June 2021, on a three-year contract.{{cite news |title=Fran Navarro reforça Gil Vicente até 2024 |trans-title=Fran Navarro bolsters Gil Vicente until 2024|url=https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/gil-vicente/detalhe/20210626-1711-fran-navarro-reforca-gil-vicente-ate-2024 |access-date=1 October 2021 |work=Record |date=26 June 2019 |language=Portuguese}} On his league debut on 9 August, he scored twice in a 3–0 win over visitors Boavista FC.{{cite news |last1=Farr |first1=Jamie |title=PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Fran Navarro's debut double gets Gil Vicente off to a flyer |url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/2197-portugoal-figure-of-the-week-fran-navarro-s-debut-double-gets-gil-vicente-off-to-a-flyer |access-date=1 October 2021 |publisher=PortuGOAL |date=10 August 2021}} With 16 goals in 32 games, he finished fourth among the league's top scorers while his team qualified for Europe for the first time with fifth position and a berth in the UEFA Europa Conference League.{{cite news |title=Darwin Núñez é o melhor marcador da Liga, Taremi em segundo|trans-title=Darwin Núñez is the Liga top scorer, Taremi in second|url=https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/benfica/fc-porto/darwin-nunez-e-o-melhor-marcador-da-liga-taremi-em-segundo |access-date=23 May 2022 |publisher=Mais Futebol |date=15 May 2022 |language=Portuguese}}
In 2022–23, Navarro scored 17 goals, having started all 34 games; this tally included braces in wins away to C.S. Marítimo, Casa Pia A.C. and at home to Boavista. He finished joint third with S.L. Benfica's João Mário as the league's top scorer, behind FC Porto's Mehdi Taremi and Gonçalo Ramos of Benfica.{{cite news |last1=Soares da Silva |first1=Eduardo |title=Taremi é o melhor marcador do campeonato|trans-title=Taremi is the championship top scorer |url=https://rr.sapo.pt/bola-branca/especial/futebol-nacional/2023/05/27/taremi-e-o-melhor-marcador-do-campeonato/333093/ |access-date=28 May 2023 |publisher=Rádio Renascença |date=27 May 2023 |language=Portuguese}}
= Porto =
On 5 July 2023, FC Porto signed Navarro on a five-year contract, for a reported transfer fee of €7 million.{{cite news |title=Oficial: Fran Navarro é o primeiro reforço do FC Porto para 2023/24|trans-title=Official: Fran Navarro is FC Porto's first addition for 2023/24 |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/futebol/1a-liga/porto/noticias/oficial-fran-navarro-e-o-primeiro-reforco-do-fc-porto-para-202324-16641693.html |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=O Jogo |date=5 July 2023 |language=Portuguese}} He made his debut for the club on 9 August, in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, coming off the bench to replace Mehdi Taremi in the 81st minute of a 2–0 defeat to rivals Benfica.{{Cite web |date=9 August 2023 |title=Benfica vence FC Porto e conquista Supertaça |trans-title=Benfica beats FC Porto and conquers Supercup |url=https://vsports.pt/noticia/benfica-vence-fc-porto-e-conquista-supertaca |access-date=16 September 2023 |website=VSports |language=pt-pt}} Navarro made his first start for Porto on 15 September, in a 1–0 league win away at Estrela da Amadora.{{Cite web |date=15 September 2023 |title=Taremi foi ao banco, não o aqueceu e decidiu para o FC Porto frente ao Estrela |trans-title=Taremi to the bench, didn't warm it and decided for FC Porto against Estrela |url=https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/estrela-fc-porto-relato-tsf-direto-primeira-liga-17018064.html |access-date=16 September 2023 |website=TSF |language=pt-PT}} He made his UEFA Champions League debut on 7 November 2023, coming off the bench to replace Evanilson in the 83rd minute of a 2–0 group stage victory at home to Royal Antwerp.{{Cite web |date=7 November 2023 |title=FC Porto: Ganhar é o melhor remédio. Crónica de jogo |trans-title=FC Porto: Winning is the best medicine. Match chronicle |url=https://portocanal.sapo.pt/noticia/340435 |access-date=7 November 2023 |website= |publisher=Porto Canal |language=pt-pt}} On 24 November, Navarro scored his first goal for Porto, in a 4–0 home victory over Campeonato de Portugal side CDC Montalegre, in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal.{{Cite web |date=24 November 2023 |title=Fran Navarro após a estreia a marcar: "Dizem que o primeiro custa mais..." |trans-title=Fran Navarro after first goal: "They say the first is the hardest..." |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/3871197066/fran-navarro-apos-a-estreia-a-marcar-dizem-que-o-primeiro-custa-mais/ |access-date=25 November 2023 |website= |publisher=O Jogo |language=pt-pt}}
== Olympiacos (loan) ==
On 1 January 2024, Porto sent Navarro on loan to Super League Greece club Olympiacos until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |date=31 December 2023 |title=Ο Φραν Ναβάρο στον Ολυμπιακό |trans-title=Fran Navarro at Olympiacos |url=https://www.olympiacos.org/2023/12/31/o-fran-navaro-ston-olympiako/ |access-date=1 January 2024 |publisher=Olympiacos F.C. |language=el}} The deal reportedly included a €7.5 million option-to-buy.{{Cite news |date=29 December 2023 |title=Fran Navarro para o Olympiacos: os valores do negócio e o dia dos exames médicos |language=pt-pt |trans-title=Fran Navarro to Olympiacos: the values of the deal and the day of the medical exams |work=O Jogo |url=https://www.ojogo.pt/1736212415/fran-navarro-para-o-olympiacos-os-valores-do-negocio-e-o-dia-dos-exames-medicos/ |access-date=1 January 2024}}
== Braga (loan) ==
On 30 December 2024, Navarro joined Braga on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy. Navarro signed a contract with Braga until June 2029 which would be in place if the option is exercised.{{cite web|publisher=S.C. Braga|url=https://scbraga.pt/fran-navarro-e-gverreiro/|title=Fran Navarro é Gverreiro!|trans-title=Fran Navarro is a Warrior!|date=30 December 2024|access-date=14 March 2025|language=pt}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}{{Soccerway|francisco-jose-navarro-aliaga/403294|accessdate=15 June 2023}}{{BDFutbol|url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j23140.html|accessdate=15 June 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, Belgian Cup, Taça de Portugal, Greek Football Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}} !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="7"|Valencia B
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 2015–16
|Segunda División B |4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | |||||
| 2016–17
|Segunda División B |4 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 2 | |||||
| 2017–18
|Segunda División B |31 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 4 | |||||
| 2018–19
|Segunda División B |35 | 9 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 9 | |||||
| 2020–21
|Segunda División B |22 | 11 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 11 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!98 | 27 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 98 | 27 | |||||
| Valencia
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Lokeren (loan)
|12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 2 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Gil Vicente
|32 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 16 | |||
| 2022–23
|Primeira Liga |34 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3{{efn|name=UECL|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 21 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!66 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 78 | 37 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Porto
|Primeira Liga |6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira|name=SCO}} | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2024–25
|Primeira Liga |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=SCO}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!10 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| Olympiacos (loan)
|16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 5 | |||
| Braga (loan)
|Primeira Liga |7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 4 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!209 | 70 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 234 | 76 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Porto
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2024{{cite news|url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/4011-porto-star-in-seven-goal-super-taca-thriller|title=Porto pull off stunning comeback to beat Sporting in seven-goal Super Taça thriller|date=4 August 2024|access-date=4 August 2024|website=PortuGOAL}}
Individual
- Primeira Liga Forward of the Month: December 2022/January 2023,{{Cite web |date=15 February 2023 |title=Best of December/January: Fran Navarro wins Forward of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin |url=http://www.ligaportugal.pt/en/epocas/20222023/noticias/geral/premios-mensais/dezembrojaneiro/fran-navarro-e-o-avancado-do-mes-da-liga-portugal-bwin/ |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=Liga Portugal}} February 2023{{Cite web |date=15 March 2023 |title=Fran Navarro wins Forward of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin |url=http://www.ligaportugal.pt/en/epocas/20222023/noticias/geral/premios-mensais/fevereiro/fran-navarro-e-o-avancado-do-mes-da-liga-portugal-bwin/ |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=Liga Portugal}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|23140}}
{{S.C. Braga squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Navarro, Fran}}
Category:Footballers from Valencia
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Spain men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Valencia CF Mestalla footballers
Category:K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen players
Category:Gil Vicente F.C. players
Category:Olympiacos F.C. players
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Challenger Pro League players
Category:Primeira Liga players
Category:Super League Greece players
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Portugal
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Greece
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Belgium
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal