Jacobo Sanz

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Jacobo

| image = Jacobo Sanz.jpg

| caption = Jacobo with Valladolid in 2011

| full_name = Jacobo Sanz Ovejero

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|7|10|df=yes}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/jacobo_prs206575/person.shtml|title=Jacobo|publisher=Eurosport|access-date=17 July 2020}}

| birth_place = Valladolid, Spain

| height = 1.93 m

| position = Goalkeeper

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Colegio San Agustín

| youthyears2 = 1990–2003

| youthclubs2 = Valladolid

| years1 = 2003–2006

| years2 = 2004

| years3 = 2005

| years4 = 2005–2007

| years5 = 2007–2008

| years6 = 2008–2011

| years7 = 2008–2009

| years8 = 2011–2012

| years9 = 2012–2015

| years10 = 2014

| clubs1 = Valladolid B

| clubs2 = → Palencia (loan)

| clubs3 = → Jaén (loan)

| clubs4 = Valladolid

| clubs5 = Numancia

| clubs6 = Valladolid

| clubs7 = → Getafe (loan)

| clubs8 = Asteras Tripolis

| clubs9 = PAOK

| clubs10 = → Tenerife (loan)

| caps1 = 26

| caps2 = 6

| caps3 = 4

| caps4 = 10

| caps5 = 32

| caps6 = 36

| caps7 = 17

| caps8 = 22

| caps9 = 21

| caps10 = 5

| totalcaps = 179

| goals1 = 0

| goals2 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| goals4 = 0

| goals5 = 0

| goals6 = 0

| goals7 = 0

| goals8 = 0

| goals9 = 0

| goals10 = 0

| totalgoals = 0

}}

Jacobo Sanz Ovejero (born 10 July 1983), known simply as Jacobo, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

A controversial figure, he played 68 Segunda División matches over five seasons, representing Valladolid, Numancia and Tenerife in the competition. He appeared for Getafe and Valladolid in La Liga, and also competed professionally in Greece.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/real-valladolid/393980.html|title=Jacobo, un portero con polémica|trans-title=Jacobo, goalkeeper with controversy|publisher=Vavel|first=César|last=Rodríguez Cabrillo|language=es|date=20 September 2014|access-date=27 December 2017}}

Career

=Valladolid and Numancia=

Jacobo was born in Valladolid. A product of Real Valladolid's youth system – he joined the club at the age of only seven – he served two loan stints before returning in the 2005–06 season,{{cite news|url=http://www.elnortedecastilla.es/20090901/deportes/real_valladolid/jacobo-estiron-20090901.html|title=Jacobo da el estirón|trans-title=Jacobo makes a run for it|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|first=Arturo|last=Posada|language=es|date=1 September 2009|access-date=8 August 2011}} with the Castile and León club in Segunda División. He would only be third choice during that period, and his official debut occurred on 1 October 2005 in a 3–2 away win over Real Madrid Castilla;{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/2005/10/02/101.html|title=2–3: El oficio del Valladolid derrota al Castilla|trans-title=2–3: Valladolid know-how defeats Castilla|newspaper=ABC|language=es|date=2 October 2005|access-date=27 December 2017}} his second league game was also against that opponent, five months later (1–0 home victory).{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/2006/03/06/084.html|title=Valladolid 1–0 Real Madrid Castilla|newspaper=ABC|language=es|date=6 March 2006|access-date=27 December 2017}}

In 2007–08, Jacobo contributed 32 games to CD Numancia's return to La Liga after a three-year absence.{{cite news|url=https://www.desdesoria.es/2013/05/29/breve-enciclopedia-numantina/|title=Breve enciclopedia numantina|trans-title=Brief numantina encyclopedia|newspaper=Desde Soria|language=es|date=29 May 2013|access-date=14 October 2019}} He had been signed to a two-year deal with Valladolid keeping two re-buy options on the player,{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/valladolid/es/desarrollo/1017740.html|title=El Valladolid traspasa a Jacobo al Numancia|trans-title=Valladolid transfer Jacobo to Numancia|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=17 July 2007|access-date=18 September 2008}} and conceded just 28 goals during the campaign, only trailing CD Castellón's Carlos Sánchez in the Ricardo Zamora Trophy race.{{cite news|url=http://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/noticias/deportes/carlos-zamora-sanchez_387577.html|title=Carlos ´Zamora´ Sánchez|newspaper=El Periódico Mediterráneo|language=es|date=16 June 2008|access-date=27 December 2017}}

=Getafe=

Jacobo returned to Valladolid in July 2008, signing a new three-year contract.{{cite news|url=http://www.elnortedecastilla.es/20080702/deportes/real_valladolid/valladolid-quiere-abaratar-jacobo-20080702.html|title=El Valladolid quiere abaratar con Jacobo la llegada de Goitom desde el Murcia|trans-title=Valladolid want to make Goitom arrival from Murcia cheaper with Jacobo|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|first=Arturo|last=Posada|language=es|date=2 July 2008|access-date=27 December 2017}} However, injuries to Getafe CF's keepers, Argentines Roberto Abbondanzieri (a couple of weeks) and Oscar Ustari (eight months) prompted a loan request by the Madrid side, which was accepted.{{cite web|url=http://www.realvalladolid.es/noticias/actualidad/31082008/Jacobo-cedido-Getafe/|title=Jacobo, cedido al Getafe|trans-title=Jacobo, loaned to Getafe|publisher=Real Valladolid|language=es|date=31 August 2008|access-date=18 September 2008}} On 14 September, after having received the latter's nº1 jersey, he made his debut for the club, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 home draw with Real Betis.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/253018?cc=5739|title=Getafe 0–0 Real Betis|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=14 September 2008|access-date=8 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026133223/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/253018?cc=5739|archive-date=26 October 2012}}

From January 2009 onwards, as Abbondanzieri returned to Boca Juniors, Jacobo was reinstated as starter, first appearing on the 25th in a 5–1 home win against Sporting de Gijón.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252760?cc=5739|title=Getafe 5–1 Sporting Gijón|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=25 January 2009|access-date=8 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026133235/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/252760?cc=5739|archive-date=26 October 2012}} In 2009–10 he alternated with Paraguayan Justo Villar when healthy,{{cite news|url=http://www.elnortedecastilla.es/20090916/deportes/real_valladolid/justo-villar-quiere-irse-200909161339.html|title=Justo Villar quiere irse en diciembre|trans-title=Justo Villar wants to leave in December|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|first=Antonio|last=García Encinas|language=es|date=16 September 2009|access-date=10 May 2015}} but Valladolid finished 18th with 62 goals against (the fourth-worst defensive record) and dropped down back to the second division.

=Greece=

In July 2011, after a failed transfer to Celtic – the Scottish team had already shown interest in the player the previous summer{{cite news|url=http://realvalladolid.elnortedecastilla.es/noticias/d-08-04/celtic-interesa-jacobo-20100804.html|title=El Celtic se interesa por Jacobo|trans-title=Celtic show interest in Jacobo|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|language=es|date=4 August 2010|access-date=8 August 2011}}– Jacobo joined several compatriots at Asteras Tripolis F.C. in Greece, signing a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://realvalladolid.elnortedecastilla.es/noticias/2011-07-21/jacobo-firma-ateras-tripoli-20110721.html|title=Jacobo firma por el {{sic|nolink=y|Ateras Trípoli}} griego|trans-title=Jacobo signs with Greece's Asteras Tripoli|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|language=es|date=21 July 2011|access-date=9 August 2011}} On 27 November, he was named Player of the match in a 2–0 home defeat of Olympiacos FC.{{cite web|url=http://www.onsports.gr/Podosfairo/Super-League/item/146630-Braveytikan-Hakompo,-Perone|title=Βραβεύτηκαν Χακόμπο, Περόνε|trans-title=Jacobo, Perrone awarded|publisher=Onsports|language=el|date=1 December 2011|access-date=7 January 2012}}

On 21 April 2012, after the Super League season was over, Jacobo was released by Asteras supposedly to move to Everton in England,{{cite web|url=http://www.novasports.gr/news.aspx?a_id=233385&Sport=1&Competition=1713&Season=100081&Country=82&Team=91089&Round=252785|script-title=el:Παρελθόν ο Χακόμπο από την Τρίπολη|trans-title=Jacobo left Tripoli|publisher=Nova Sports|language=el|date=21 April 2012|access-date=21 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910035846/http://www.novasports.gr/news.aspx?a_id=233385&Sport=1&Competition=1713&Season=100081&Country=82&Team=91089&Round=252785|archive-date=10 September 2012}} and had subsequent trials in the country with Charlton Athletic{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11684/7906070/Sullivan-set-for-loan|title=Sullivan set for loan|publisher=Sky Sports|date=17 July 2012|access-date=26 September 2012}} and Middlesbrough in the ensuing summer.{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/7974315/Boro-still-keen-on-Castelen|title=Boro still keen on Castelen|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Graeme|last=Bailey|date=8 August 2012|access-date=10 August 2012}} Nothing came of it and, eventually, he stayed in Greece and joined PAOK FC for one year.{{cite web|url=http://www.sentragoal.gr/article.asp?catid=10536&subid=2&pubid=129118447|script-title=el:Υπέγραψε ο Χακόμπο|trans-title=Jacobo signed|publisher=Sentra Goal|language=el|date=7 August 2012|access-date=11 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809033837/http://www.sentragoal.gr/article.asp?catid=10536&subid=2&pubid=129118447|archive-date=9 August 2012}}

On 18 November 2012, Jacobo was sent off in a game against Panathinaikos F.C. and, subsequently, was subjected to the club's disciplinary proceedings, being reinstated after issuing an apology.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportculture.gr/simera-apologithike-aurio-dikazet.html|script-title=el:Απολογήθηκε και προπονήθηκε ο Χάκομπο|trans-title=Jacobo apologized and trained|publisher=Sport Culture|language=el|date=18 November 2012|access-date=26 July 2014}} In June of the following year he renewed his contract for three more years{{cite web|url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/paok-extends-contract-of-spaniard-ovejero/|title=PAOK extends contract of Spaniard Ovejero|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=23 June 2013|access-date=26 July 2014}} but, in November, after a new case of misconduct, this time involving the club's trainer, was again suspended.{{cite web|url=http://www.pressaris.gr/o-%CF%87%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BF-%CE%AD%CE%B2%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%B5-%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%82-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%BF-%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%B1|title=O Χακόμπο… έβρισε τον γυμναστή και ο Στέφενς τον "πέταξε" έξω από την αποστολή!|trans-title=Jacobo… He insulted the manager and Stevens "blew" a gasket!|publisher=Pressaris|language=el|date=22 November 2013|access-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318083132/http://www.pressaris.gr/o-%CF%87%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%8C%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BF-%CE%AD%CE%B2%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%83%CE%B5-%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AD%CF%86%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%82-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%BF-%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%B1|archive-date=18 March 2014}} Coach Huub Stevens commented on the incident: “There was an incident in yesterday’s training. Believe me, patience is the best way to deal with such matters, but it was not the first time he overreacted and that is unacceptable. That’s why we banned him from training until Monday. I hope he will reflect on his behaviour and learn from it”.{{cite web|url=http://www.paokfc.gr/en/news-en/stevens-hope-jacobo-will-learn/|title=Stevens: "I hope that Jacobo will learn from this"|publisher=PAOK FC|date=23 June 2013|access-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211033537/http://www.paokfc.gr/en/news-en/stevens-hope-jacobo-will-learn/|archive-date=11 December 2013}}

Jacobo was loaned to CD Tenerife back in his country for the 2014–15 campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140722/futbol/el-portero-jacobo-sanz-vuelve-a-espana-para-jugar-en-el-tenerife_54412137425.html|title=El portero Jacobo Sanz vuelve a España para jugar en el Tenerife|trans-title=Goalkeeper Jacobo Sanz returns to Spain to play for Tenerife|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=22 July 2014|access-date=26 July 2014}} On 14 November, however, he left the club after having a confrontation with teammate Cristo González,{{cite news|url=http://www.diariodeavisos.com/2014/11/jacobo-sanz-se-va-del-cd-tenerife/|title=Jacobo Sanz se va del CD Tenerife|trans-title=Jacobo Sanz leaves CD Tenerife|newspaper=Diario de Avisos|language=es|date=14 November 2014|access-date=22 November 2014}} also being deemed surplus to requirements at PAOK.{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20150107/futbol/jacobo-sanz-debe-encontrar-equipo-para-terminar-su-cesion-en-el-tenerife_54423097980.html|title=Jacobo Sanz debe encontrar equipo para terminar su cesión en el Tenerife|trans-title=Jacobo Sanz must find a team to end his Tenerife loan|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=7 January 2015|access-date=16 January 2015}}

On 17 January 2017, after years battling several injury problems, the 33-year-old Jacobo announced his retirement. He expressed a desire to remain connected to the sport as a goalkeeper coach,{{cite web|url=http://valladolid.eldesmarque.com/real-valladolid/noticias/3559-jacobo-deja-el-futbol-tras-una-nueva-operacion|title=Jacobo deja el fútbol tras una nueva operación|trans-title=Jacobo quits football after new surgery|publisher=El Desmarque|language=es|date=17 January 2017|access-date=27 December 2017}} and started working in that capacity with Internacional de Madrid and Aarhus Gymnastikforening.{{cite web|url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/ny-maalmandstraener-paa-plads-i-agf/|title=Ny målmandstræner på plads i AGF|trans-title=New goalkeeper trainer gets going in AGF|publisher=Bold|language=da|date=13 February 2018|access-date=13 February 2018}}