Xavi Oliva

Javier 'Xavi' Oliva González (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈʃaβj oˈliβa]; born 29 May 1976) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Oliva and the second or maternal family name is González.
Xavi Oliva
Personal information
Full name Javier Oliva González
Date of birth (1976-05-29) 29 May 1976
Place of birth L'Hospitalet, Spain
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994 Espanyol B 0 (0)
1994–1997 Hospitalet 22 (0)
1995–1996 → Roda Barà (loan) 18 (0)
1997–1998 Valencia B 19 (0)
1998–1999 Terrassa 35 (0)
1999–2000 Recreativo 5 (0)
2000–2002 Gimnàstic 48 (0)
2002–2009 Castellón 181 (0)
2009–2011 Villarreal 0 (0)
Total 328 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Football career

Oliva was born in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia. After modest beginnings (he had stints with RCD Espanyol[1] and Valencia CF, but only with their reserves) his first professional spell was in the 1999–2000 season, as he played five matches with Recreativo de Huelva in the second division.

Oliva then represented Gimnàstic de Tarragona in his native region, in both the second and third levels, then moved to CD Castellón in 2002. With the latter, he was instrumental in a 2005 promotion to division two.

In the last two seasons, Oliva lost the starting job to former Real Madrid youth graduate Carlos Sánchez. After more than 200 overall appearances, he backed down on his decision to renew his contract and, in late June 2009, signed a two-year deal with La Liga club Villarreal CF also in the community.[2] He made his official debut for his new team on 29 October, in a 1–1 away draw against CD Puertollano for the Copa del Rey;[3] on 5 November, he replaced the injured Diego López during the 4–1 home win over S.S. Lazio for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[4]

Oliva left Villarreal as a free agent in the summer of 2011, with no league appearances to his credit. He retired shortly after, at the age of 35.

References
  1. Adiós Cristinenc, hola Español (Goodbye Cristinenc, hello Español); Mundo Deportivo, 31 July 1994 (in Spanish)
  2. El Villarreal refuerza su portería con Oliva (Villarreal strengthen goal with Oliva); Marca, 24 June 2009 (in Spanish)
  3. El Villarreal no pasa del empate ante el Puertollano (1–1) (Villarreal can only draw against Puertollano (1–1)); Diario Siglo XXI, 30 October 2009 (in Spanish)
  4. Yellow Submarine leave Lazio at sea; UEFA, 5 November 2009
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