Cristian Hidalgo

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Cristian was a product of FC Barcelona's youth system. He scored three goals during 2003–04 and four in the following season, while performing as a forward with the B-team. The club's coaches would, however, change his role into one of a winger, and he impressed in this position, ending 2005–06 with 11 third division goals; he also played one official game for the main squad, a Copa del Rey match against Zamora CF. Cristian signed for Deportivo de La Coruña as a free agent in the 2006–07 campaign, making his La Liga debut on 27 August 2006 as he came from the bench in a 3–2 home win over Real Zaragoza. As a starter, he scored his first top level goal in a 2–0 success against Real Madrid, also at the Estadio Riazor. In his second year, Cristian netted his second league goal ever, in a 9 December 2007 defeat against his former employers, 1–2 at the Camp Nou. He would only appear in 14 league matches during the season, however. After featuring even less in 2008–09, Cristian was released and joined Hércules CF in the second division on a three-year deal. He contributed with 23 games and three goals in his debut campaign (but only three starts) as the Alicante side returned to the top flight after 13 years. In mid-March 2012, after seeing out his contract, Cristian signed with Elche CF in division two. He had been limited to training with Hércules for several months. 29-year-old Cristian moved abroad for the first time ever in 2012–13, splitting the…