Sergio Asenjo

Valladolid

Born in Palencia, Castile and León, Asenjo started his playing career in the academy of Real Valladolid and soon emerged as one of the most talented players in the club. Succeeding first-team goalkeepers Alberto and Ludovic Butelle, he was promoted to the senior side during the 2007–08 season, and kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 home win over Villarreal on 2 December 2007 which marked his La Liga debut. He conceded just once in his first five matches, which earned him a permanent starting berth and saw him rewarded with his first professional contract in January of the following year. Asenjo retained his position, but saw 2008–09 be interrupted by a knee injury which ruled him out for a number of matches midway through the campaign. The injury, which sidelined him for a period of three months, was the first of a number of knee ailments which would later plague him during his career. Asenjo returned to the pitch following his recovery, and ultimately made just short of 50 appearances for the Estadio José Zorrilla-based team before earning a move to Atlético Madrid.

Atlético Madrid

On 8 July 2009, Asenjo transferred to Atlético Madrid for a reported fee of €5 million and signed a four-year deal with the club. He started the season as first choice, but often alternated with compatriot David de Gea. In May 2010, Asenjo suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and was ruled out for a further six months. Upon his return, he found his place in the…

In 2006, Asenjo was selected to the Spain under-17 side as they took home the bronze medal in the UEFA European Championship. He started in all of the matches, except the third-place play-off. Asenjo was again called up for the 2007 Under-19 European Championship: in the qualification rounds his role in the team was quite insignificant, but his status changed in the semi-final against France, replacing the injured starter and saving two penalties in the shootout as the country progressed to the final, where he appeared against Greece with another excellent display for a 1–0 win. Asenjo made his under-21 debut in late August 2008, and was first choice at the 2009 European Championships. He also played at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. In March 2015, Asenjo received his first ever callup to the senior national team, being named in Vicente del Bosque's squad for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly with the Netherlands. He did not make his debut until 29 May the following year, in a 3–1 friendly victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the AFG Arena in St. Gallen, Switzerland; he was the first footballer from Palencia to win a cap since Jesús Landáburu 36 years prior.

Club

International

Atlético Madrid

Copa del Rey: 2012–13; runner-up 2009–10 UEFA Europa League: 2009–10, 2011–12 UEFA Super Cup: 2012 Villarreal

UEFA Europa League: 2020–21 UEFA Super Cup runner-up: 2021 Spain U17

UEFA European Under-17 Championship third place: 2006 Spain U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2007