David Rodríguez (footballer, born 1986)


David Rodríguez Sánchez is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Racing de Santander.

Club career

Rodríguez was born in Talavera de la Reina, Province of Toledo. After leaving Atlético Madrid's youth academy, he started professionally with Ciudad de Murcia in Segunda División. However, the lack of playing time for the Colchoneros' first team made him drop down to Segunda División B in January 2006, as he moved to UD Las Palmas.
In the 2006–07 season, Rodríguez returned to Atlético to play with its B-side and rank as their top scorer, a feat which he repeated the following campaign with UD Salamanca in the second level. Such solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, moving for €400.000 to UD Almería; before 2008–09 began, however, he was loaned to RC Celta de Vigo, returning in the following summer to Andalusia.
Rodríguez made his top flight debut on 30 August 2009, appearing in a 0–0 home draw against Real Valladolid. On 22 November, he scored after just five minutes on the pitch but Almería lost 1–3 at RCD Mallorca, and the player was only the fourth of fifth offensive option at the club during the season.
On 17 July 2010, after having been suspended by Almería, Rodríguez signed for Celta permanently, penning a four-year contract. In his first year in his second spell he netted a career-best 17 goals, leading the Galicians to the sixth position in the regular season and the subsequent promotion playoffs.
On 29 August 2012, after having contributed with nine goals in 28 matches to Celta's promotion, Rodríguez signed for second division side Sporting de Gijón. He scored his first goal for his new club on 9 September, netting the opener in a 1–1 home draw against CD Lugo.
On 30 January 2014, Rodríguez terminated his contract at Celta and completed a move to English club Brighton & Hove Albion the following day. He made his debut in the Championship two days later, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 0–2 loss at Watford.
On 18 July 2014, free agent Rodríguez joined AD Alcorcón. He scored a career-best 20 goals in his debut season, helping to a final 11th position in the second tier.
Rodríguez netted his first hat-trick as a professional on 24 October 2015, in a 6–1 home demolition of UE Llagostera. On 30 June 2017, after scoring 52 overall goals for the Alfareros, he signed a three-year contract with fellow league team CA Osasuna, for € 350,000.
On 30 January 2019, Rodríguez was loaned to CD Numancia also of the second division until June. Upon returning to the El Sadar Stadium, he terminated his contract on 1 July, and agreed to a one-year deal with Racing de Santander on 20 August.

Personal life

Rodríguez's younger brother, Sergio, was also a footballer. A defender, he played as a senior for Atlético Madrid and Celta, in both cases only representing its reserves.