Santiago Aragón


Santiago Aragón Martínez is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder.
He was a technically evolved player who often assumed playmaker duties, and played mainly for Real Zaragoza, appearing in more than 350 official matches in 11 seasons – ten in La Liga – and winning three major titles.

Club career

Aragón was born in Málaga, Andalusia. A Real Madrid youth graduate, he played one game for the 1988 league champions, also appearing in two and a half seasons with the reserve team in Segunda División; barred by Rafael Martín Vázquez first and Gheorghe Hagi afterwards he was loaned successively to RCD Español and CD Logroñés, both in La Liga, where he only featured in 29 matches combined.
After another loan at Real Valladolid, with top flight relegation, Aragón's career was threatened with fading into obscurity until he joined Real Zaragoza, first on loan. He would be the Aragonese side's dictator of play for several seasons, only missing nine games in his first four seasons combined while also scoring 17 goals himself.
Aragón was part of the side that won the 1995 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, having conquered the Copa del Rey the previous campaign. After contributing with four goals to Zaragoza's return to the top division in 2003 he retired aged 35, with nearly 500 official appearances to his credit.
In January 2008, Aragón had his first coaching experience, joining former Zaragoza teammate Ander Garitano's coaching staff precisely at the club. After only one week and two matches, the head manager cited personal reasons for leaving his post, and his assistant followed him.

Honours

Real Madrid
Zaragoza