Luis Helguera


Luis Helguera Bujía is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder.

Club career

Helguera was born in Ferrol, Galicia. After beginning with lowly Club Deportivo Manchego he moved to La Liga with Real Zaragoza, where he appeared sporadically during three seasons.
After his older brother, Iván, had played one season at A.S. Roma, Helguera also moved to Italy, representing Udinese Calcio for two years with a Deportivo Alavés loan in between. He competed a further six campaigns also in that country, mostly in Serie B, returning in 2008 to his homeland to sign with a second division newcomer, SD Huesca.
Helguera rarely missed a game for the club during his spell, helping it consecutively retain its status. In 2010–11 he also collected a season-worse 20 yellow cards, in 37 matches; he retired in June 2013 at the age of 37 following the team's relegation, amassing second level totals of 185 games and eight goals over the course of five seasons.
On 6 August 2015, Helguera was named UD Las Palmas' technical secretary.

Personal life

Helguera was the younger brother of former Real Madrid, Valencia and Spain defender Iván Helguera. Both played abroad in Italy.