Óscar Serrano Rodríguez

Born in Blanes, Girona, Catalonia, Serrano was still playing amateur football already in his 20s but, in July 2004, he went straight out of Segunda División B club UE Figueres to La Liga with neighbouring RCD Espanyol, for only €180.000, being an important attacking element in his only season (22 starts, 1.933 minutes of action) to help the latter to finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Cup. Serrano signed with Racing de Santander for the 2005–06 campaign, appearing in 34 matches with three goals in his third year as the Cantabrians achieved a first ever UEFA Cup qualification. A skilled player with a volatile temperament, he was booked an average of ten times in his first four years, also being sent off in four games. Serrano played 33 matches in 2009–10, scoring three times as Racing again retained their league status. On 25 April 2010, during a home loss against Villarreal CF, he sustained a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury which would sideline him until December; he celebrated his comeback by netting in a 1–0 away win over RCD Mallorca – in the 90th minute – having taken the pitch two minutes before, but relapsed shortly after, being limited to only four league appearances as his team again managed to stay afloat. Upon recovering full fitness, Serrano never managed to return to starting duties again. On 24 January 2012, he terminated his contract with Racing and joined fellow top-tier side Levante UD, being sent off in his first game, a 0–3 home defeat to…