Kike García (Spanish footballer)
{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|García|Martínez|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Kike García
| image = Club Atlético Osasuna (temp 22-23) Kike García, foto 2.jpg
| caption = García with Osasuna in 2022
| full_name = Enrique García Martínez{{cite news|url=https://en.as.com/resultados/ficha/deportista/kike/18086/|title=Kike García|newspaper=Diario AS|access-date=12 September 2022}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|11|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Motilla del Palancar, Spain
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Alavés
| clubnumber = 17
| youthyears1 = 2004–2007 | youthclubs1 = Quintanar Rey
| youthyears2 = 2007–2008 | youthclubs2 = Murcia
| years1 = 2008–2009 | clubs1 = Murcia B | caps1 = 34 | goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2009–2014 | clubs2 = Murcia | caps2 = 144 | goals2 = 47
| years3 = 2014–2016 | clubs3 = Middlesbrough | caps3 = 61 | goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2016–2021 | clubs4 = Eibar | caps4 = 153 | goals4 = 35
| years5 = 2021–2023 | clubs5 = Osasuna | caps5 = 68 | goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2023– | clubs6 = Alavés | caps6 = 63 | goals6 = 15
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| nationalyears1 = 2009 | nationalteam1 = Spain U20 | nationalcaps1 = 7 | nationalgoals1 = 3
| club-update = 18:25, 20 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Enrique "Kike" García Martínez ({{IPA|es|enˈrike ɣaɾˈθi.a maɾˈtineθ}};{{efn-lg|In isolation, García is pronounced {{IPA|es|ɡaɾˈθi.a|}}.}} born 25 November 1989), sometimes known as just Kike ({{IPA|es|ˈkike|}}), is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for La Liga club Alavés.
He began his career at Real Murcia, competing in five Segunda División seasons before a €3.5 million transfer to Middlesbrough in 2014. After one and a half seasons in the English Championship, he returned to Spain with Eibar.
García played for Spain at under-20 level.
Club career
=Murcia=
Born in Motilla del Palancar, Cuenca, García joined Real Murcia CF's academy aged 18, after a brief spell with local CD Quintanar del Rey.{{cite web|url=http://www.quintanardeportivo.com/esc_09_kiketrayectoria.html|title=Kike, la trayectoria|trans-title=Kike, the career|publisher=Quintanar Deportivo|first=Pedro|last=Ruipérez|language=es|date=July 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}} He made his senior debut with the former's reserves in the 2007–08 season, in the Tercera División.
On 23 May 2009, García played his first match as a professional, coming on as a substitute for Quique de Lucas in a 2–2 away draw against RC Celta de Vigo in the Segunda División.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/05/23/futbol/2adivision/1243107494.html|title=El Celta la pifia y sigue cerca del pozo|trans-title=Celta fumble and remain near the pit|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=23 May 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}} He scored his first goal roughly a month later, the first in a 2–1 home victory over UD Salamanca.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/06/13/futbol/2adivision/1244924215.html|title=El Murcia liquidó al Salamanca|trans-title=Murcia finished Salamanca|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=13 June 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}} In November he signed a new three-year contract, being definitely promoted to the main squad.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/11/11/futbol/equipos/murcia/1257960729.html|title=Kike renueva contrato tres años con el Murcia|trans-title=Kike renews contract for three years with Murcia|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=11 November 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}}
García suffered an injury to his fibula in September 2011{{cite news|url=http://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2011/09/05/murcia-queda-kike/348412.html|title=El Murcia también se queda sin Kike|trans-title=Murcia left without Kike as well|newspaper=La Opinión de Murcia|first=Ángela|last=Moreno|language=es|date=5 September 2011|access-date=4 July 2014}} and, despite being initially sidelined for a month, he was out of action for the entire campaign. In October of the following year he signed a new deal with Murcia, running until 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/10/31/futbol/equipos/real_murcia/1351710695.html|title=Kike García renueva hasta 2016|trans-title=Kike García renews until 2016|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=31 October 2012|access-date=4 July 2014}}
In his final year with the Pimentoneros, 2013–14, García was the joint second top scorer in the league with 23 goals and helped his team to the La Liga promotion play-offs, only to be relegated administratively.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/real-murcia-striker-kike-boro-7409272|title=Watch: Murcia striker Kike to complete €3.5m transfer to Boro after weeks of talks|publisher=TeessideLive|first=Anthony|last=Vickers|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.laverdad.es/realmurcia/middlesbrough-alarga-culebron-20191023003422-ntvo.html|title=El Middlesbrough alarga el culebrón de Kike García|trans-title=Middlesbrough extend Kike García's soap opera|newspaper=La Verdad|first=Sergio|last=Conesa|language=es|date=23 October 2019|access-date=21 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jan/20/kike-garcia-perfect-hat-trick-alaves-la-liga|title=Old, humble and perfect: lovable lump Kike García gives Alavés hope|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sid|last=Lowe|date=20 January 2025|access-date=20 January 2025}} He was also May's Player of the Month.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligabbva.com/premios-bbva/133098/kike-garcia-recibe-el-premio-bbva-al-mejor-jugador-de-la-liga-adelante/|title=Kike García recibe el 'Premio BBVA' al Mejor Jugador de la Liga Adelante|trans-title=Kike García receives the 'BBVA Award' for the Best Player in the Liga Adelante|publisher=Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional|language=es|date=5 June 2014|access-date=15 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315120959/https://www.ligabbva.com/premios-bbva/133098/kike-garcia-recibe-el-premio-bbva-al-mejor-jugador-de-la-liga-adelante/|archive-date=15 March 2016}}
=Middlesbrough=
On 11 July 2014, García joined English Championship side Middlesbrough, in a €3.5 million (£2.7 million) deal; he was signed by compatriot Aitor Karanka, who had worked with him at international youth level. He made his competitive debut on 9 August by starting at home to Birmingham City on the opening day of the season, scoring his team's second goal in the 66th minute for a 2–0 home win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28646508|title=Middlesbrough 2–0 Birmingham City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2014|access-date=9 August 2014}} He found the net again in his second appearance three days later, replacing Adam Reach early into the second half of a Football League Cup tie at Oldham Athletic and closing the 3–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28652491|title=Oldham Athletic 0–3 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2014|access-date=13 August 2014}}
García came on for Jelle Vossen in the 86th minute of the FA Cup fourth round match at reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on 24 January 2015, and scored the second goal of a 2–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30860467|title=Manchester City 0–2 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mike|last=Whalley|date=24 January 2015|access-date=24 January 2015}} On 10 February, he netted an 88th-minute winner in a 2–1 away defeat of Blackpool, a result which moved his team above AFC Bournemouth into first place.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31105861|title=Blackpool 1–2 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2015|access-date=11 February 2015}}
García scored in a 3–0 win over Brentford on 15 May 2015, which advanced the hosts to the play-off final 5–1 on aggregate.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32636569|title=Middlesbrough 3–1 Brentford|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Matt|last=Newsum|date=15 May 2015|access-date=16 May 2015}} He was a substitute in the decisive match, a 2–0 loss to Norwich City at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32776552|title=Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich City|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=Shepka|date=25 May 2015|access-date=25 May 2015}}
On 15 August 2015, García scored his first two-goal haul for Middlesbrough, a first-half double in a 3–0 home win against Bolton Wanderers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33832583|title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Bolton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 August 2015|access-date=15 August 2015}} He scored and assisted Christian Stuani on 19 December in a 3–0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion, which ended the hosts' unbeaten season and put the opposition on top of the league table.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35077834|title=Brighton & Hove Albion 0–3 Middlesbrough|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=Cartwright|date=19 December 2015|access-date=19 December 2015}}
=Eibar=
The signings of strikers David Nugent and Jordan Rhodes at Middlesbrough led to speculation about García's future at the club, creating extra pressure for him to be included in the starting line-up.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33866016|title=David Nugent: Middlesbrough sign Leicester City striker|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2015|access-date=1 July 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/middlesbrough-jordan-rhodes-2933089.aspx|title=Jordan Rhodes signs for Boro from Blackburn Rovers|publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.|date=1 February 2016|access-date=1 July 2017}} After interest from Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he left and on 2 February 2016 signed for SD Eibar in the top flight, but a late registration meant that he would be ineligible to play until the following season.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/kike-leaves-boro-sign-eibar-10831574|title=Kike leaves Boro to sign for Eibar – but won't make his debut until next season|publisher=TeessideLive|first=Dominic|last=Shaw|date=3 February 2016|access-date=4 February 2016}}
García finally made his debut for the Basques on 19 August 2016, starting in a 2–1 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2016_17/la-liga/jornada_1/dep_eib/|title=Lucas se inventa un liderato|trans-title=Lucas comes up with first place|newspaper=Marca|first=Rubén|last=Jiménez|language=es|date=20 August 2016|access-date=21 August 2016}} He scored seven goals in his debut campaign – nine in all competitions – helping to a tenth-place finish.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/eibar/798056-resumen-eibar-201617-kike-garcia-rendimiento-eficiente-opacado-por-lesiones.html|title=Resumen Eibar 2016/17: Kike García, rendimiento eficiente opacado por lesiones|trans-title=2016/17 Eibar sum-up: Kike García, efficiency shadowed by injuries|publisher=Vavel|first=Narcís|last=Franch Molinet|language=es|date=12 June 2017|access-date=16 November 2017}}
On 1 May 2021, García scored all of his side's goals in the 3–0 home victory over Deportivo Alavés.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.es/futbol/la-liga/2020-2021/eibar-alaves-resultado-del-partido-laliga-hoy-resultado-goleadores_sto8299421/story.shtml|title=Éibar-Alavés: Este muerto está muy vivo|trans-title=Éibar-Alavés: This dead is quite alive|publisher=Eurosport|language=es|date=1 May 2021|access-date=11 June 2021}} He totalled 12 for the season, in an eventual relegation as last.{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fichajes/20210521/493851897148/kike-garcia-a-un-paso-de-osasuna.html|title=Kike García, a un paso de Osasuna|trans-title=Kike García, nearing Osasuna|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Javier|last=Alfaro|language=es|date=21 May 2021|access-date=11 June 2021}}
=Osasuna=
García continued in the Spanish top tier in the 2021 off-season, with the free agent joining CA Osasuna on a three-year contract with a €15 million buyout clause.{{cite news|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/osasuna/osasuna-ficha-kike-garcia-11759037|title=Osasuna ficha a Kike García|trans-title=Osasuna sign Kike García|newspaper=Sport|first=Maite|last=Jiménez|language=es|date=25 May 2021|access-date=11 June 2021}} He scored his first goal for his new team on 29 August, from the penalty spot in a 3–2 win at Cádiz CF.{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/osasuna/2021/08/30/primer-gol-kike-garcia-rojillo/1177009.html|title=El primer gol de Kike García como rojillo llega de penalti|trans-title=Kike García's first goal as red arrives through a penalty|newspaper=Noticias de Navarra|language=es|date=30 August 2021|access-date=23 September 2021}}
García was top scorer in the 2022–23 edition of the Copa del Rey, finding the net five times in the early rounds during their run to the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdenavarra.com/osasuna/2023/05/07/kike-garcia-maximo-goleador-copa-6773509.html|title=Kike García, máximo goleador de la Copa 2022/23|trans-title=Kike García, top scorer of the 2022/23 Cup|newspaper=Noticias de Navarra|first=Javier|last=Elizalde|language=es|date=7 May 2023|access-date=17 January 2024}}
=Alavés=
On 13 August 2023, García signed a two-year deal with Alavés, newly-promoted to the top tier.{{cite web|url=https://www.deportivoalaves.com/es/noticias/Alav%C3%A9s-fichaje-Kike%20Garc%C3%ADa-delantero-Osasuna|title=Kike García, experiencia para la delantera albiazul|trans-title=Kike García, experience for the white-and-blue forward line|publisher=Deportivo Alavés|language=es|date=13 August 2023|access-date=14 August 2023}} He scored just three goals in his debut campaign.
García managed his third hat-trick as a professional (second in the main division) on 18 January 2025, helping to a 3–1 away defeat of Real Betis.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/alaves/2025/01/18/hat-trick-perfecto-kike-garcia-pesadilla-bartra-betis.html|title=El hat-trick perfecto de Kike García: una pesadilla para Bartra y el Betis|trans-title=Kike García's perfect hat-trick: a nightmare for Bartra and Betis|newspaper=Marca|first=R.|last=Jiménez|language=es|date=18 January 2025|access-date=20 January 2025}}
International career
García was called up to the Spain under-20 team in June 2009, for that year's Mediterranean Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.quintanardeportivo.com/esc_09_kikeinternacional.html|title=Kike convocado con la selección Española sub20|trans-title=Kike called up with the Spain under-20 national team|publisher=Quintanar Deportivo|language=es|date=3 June 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}} He was also in Luis Milla's list for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2009/09/15/mas_futbol/1252996069_850215.html|title=Kike irá al Mundial Sub-20 y se perderá seis partidos|trans-title=Kike will go to the Under-20 World Cup and will miss six matches|newspaper=Diario AS|first=José A.|last=Vera|language=es|date=15 September 2009|access-date=4 July 2014}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 18 May 2024}}{{Soccerway|enrique-garcia-martinez/62164}}
| 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, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Murcia B
|34 | 8 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 8 | ||||
| rowspan="7"|Murcia
|4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | |||
| 2009–10
|Segunda División |31 | 3 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 34 | 3 | |||
| 2010–11
|Segunda División B |30 | 12 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | 4{{efn|Appearances in Segunda División B promotion play-offs|name=pro}} | 0 | 38 | 13 | ||
| 2011–12
|Segunda División |2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | |||
| 2012–13
|Segunda División |36 | 7 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 7 | |||
| 2013–14
|Segunda División |41 | 23 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in La Liga play-offs}} | 0 | 44 | 23 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!144 | 47 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 158 | 48 | |
| rowspan="3"|Middlesbrough
|42 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3{{efn|Appearances in the Football League play-offs}} | 1 | 51 | 12 | |
| 2015–16
|Championship |19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!61 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 75 | 16 | |
| rowspan="6"|Eibar
|24 | 7 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 9 | |||
| 2017–18
|La Liga |35 | 8 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 37 | 8 | |||
| 2018–19
|La Liga |30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 3 | |||
| 2019–20
|La Liga |27 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 5 | |||
| 2020–21
|La Liga |37 | 12 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 38 | 12 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!153 | 35 | 7 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 160 | 37 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Osasuna
|La Liga |33 | 5 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 6 | |||
| 2022–23
|La Liga |35 | 2 | 8 | 5 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 7 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!68 | 7 | 11 | 6 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 79 | 13 | |||
| Alavés
|La Liga |33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 3 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!493 | 113 | 32 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 541 | 125 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Murcia
- Segunda División B: 2010–11{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2011/06/13/futbol/mas_futbol/1307916032.html|title=El Real Murcia, campeón de Segunda B en los penaltis|trans-title=Real Murcia, Segunda B champions on penalties|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=13 June 2011|access-date=21 January 2025}}
Osasuna
- Copa del Rey: runner-up 2022–23{{cite web|url=https://rfef.es/es/noticias/cronica-el-real-madrid-tine-la-copa-de-blanco-tras-una-vibrante-final-2-1|title=Crónica {{!}} El Real Madrid tiñe la Copa de blanco tras una vibrante final (2–1)|trans-title=Report {{!}} Real Madrid dye the Cup white after a thrilling final (2–1)|publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation|language=es|date=6 May 2023|access-date=17 February 2025}}
Spain U20
- Mediterranean Games: 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.pescara2009.it/results/pdf/FB/FB_C73_FB040060100001ENG.pdf|title=ITA – ESP 1:2 (0:0)|publisher=Pescara 2009|date=4 July 2009|access-date=10 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215081712/http://www.pescara2009.it/results/pdf/FB/FB_C73_FB040060100001ENG.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2012}}
Individual
- Segunda División Player of the Month: May 2014
Notes
{{notelist-lg}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|9395}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{FIFA player|312651}}
{{Deportivo Alavés squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{2013–14 Segunda División Team of the Year}}
{{Copa del Rey top scorers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, Kike}}
Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from the Province of Cuenca
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Real Murcia Imperial players
Category:Real Murcia CF players
Category:Deportivo Alavés players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Spain men's youth international footballers
Category:Competitors at the 2009 Mediterranean Games
Category:Mediterranean Games medalists in football
Category:Mediterranean Games gold medalists for Spain
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers