Aarón Ñíguez

Early career

Born in Elche, Alicante, Valencian Community, Ñíguez was a product of Valencia CF's youth system. He made his first-team debut on 5 December 2006 against AS Roma in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, starting and playing 27 minutes in the 1–0 away loss, and spent his first professional year with the reserves in the Segunda División B, featuring regularly but suffering relegation. After starting the 2007–08 season on loan with Segunda División side Xerez CD, Ñíguez switched in the January transfer window to Iraklis F.C. from Greece. He scored his first goal for the team on 16 March 2008, through a penalty kick in a 1–0 win over Panionios F.C. after his acrobatic bicycle kick was blocked by an opponent's hand.

Rangers

Ñíguez signed a two-year loan contract with Scottish Premier League club Rangers on 13 August 2008, with an option to buy. He made his official debut in the 7–1 defeat of Hamilton Academical on 6 December, coming on as a second-half substitute and immediately creating a goal for compatriot Nacho Novo. He scored his first competitive goal for his new team in a Scottish Cup tie against Third Division side Forfar Athletic, and was booked for removing his shirt in celebration. His second also came in the domestic cup, against Hamilton from the penalty spot, in what was his first start. On 7 June 2009, it was announced that the two-year loan would be terminated, and Ñíguez returned to Valencia late in the month.

Return…

Ñíguez played in the 2006 UEFA European Championship for the Spain under-17 team, finishing as the fourth top scorer in the tournament with three goals. He was also a key member of the under-19 side that won the following year's European Championship, beating Greece in the final. On 18 November 2008, Ñíguez made his debut for the under-21s, in a 4–1 friendly loss to Portugal.

As of match played 6 January 2021

Ñíguez came from a football family: his father, José Antonio, played several years with Elche – including the 1984–85 season in La Liga – as a striker. His older brother Jonathan (another midfielder) was also developed at Valencia, spending the vast majority of his senior career in the lower leagues. The youngest, Saúl, was brought up at Atlético Madrid.