Lillo (footballer)


Manuel Castellano Castro, commonly known as Lillo, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Israeli club Maccabi Haifa F.C. as a right or left back.

Club career

Born in Aspe, Alicante, Valencian Community, Lillo began his career with local Valencia CF, playing three seasons with the reserves. In 2006–07 and 2009–10, he totalled 23 appearances combined, with the team being relegated from the third division on both occasions; in between, he spent the 2008–09 campaign on loan at Real Murcia, playing in less than one third of the games as the club finished 14th in the second level.
On 21 March 2010, Lillo appeared in his first official match with the main squad, playing the first 45 minutes of a 2–0 La Liga home win against UD Almería. In late May, as his contract with the Che was expiring, he signed with Elche CF; however, due to a mistake from his agent, the move was declared void and, two months later, he joined Almería.
Lillo spent the vast majority of his first season with the Andalusians with the B-side in division three, playing in only two games with the first team. In November 2012, the free agent joined another club in that tier, CD Alcoyano.
On 18 July 2013, Lillo moved to SD Eibar, freshly promoted to the second division. He appeared in 26 matches during his debut campaign, with the Armeros being promoted to the top flight for the first time ever, and on 11 July 2014 renewed his link with the Basques for a further year.
On 31 December 2014, Lillo extended his contract with the club until 2017. On 5 July 2016, he mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and signed a two-year deal with Sporting de Gijón just hours later.
On 1 September 2017, free agent Lillo agreed to a two-year contract with CA Osasuna in the second level.

Honours

Club

Eibar
Osasuna
Spain U20