Christian Rivera Hernández (born 9 July 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Sporting de Gijón.
![]() Rivera with Spain U18 in 2015 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Christian Rivera Hernández | ||
Date of birth | (1997-07-09) 9 July 1997 (age 25) | ||
Place of birth | Gijón, Spain | ||
Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Sporting Gijón | ||
Number | 17 | ||
Youth career | |||
Sporting Gijón | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2014–2015 | Oviedo B | 20 | (0) |
2015–2016 | Oviedo | 15 | (1) |
2016–2018 | Eibar | 24 | (0) |
2018 | → Barcelona B (loan) | 18 | (0) |
2018–2021 | Las Palmas | 6 | (0) |
2018–2019 | → Huesca (loan) | 22 | (2) |
2019–2020 | → Leganés (loan) | 5 | (0) |
2020 | → Girona (loan) | 8 | (0) |
2021– | Sporting Gijón | 0 | (0) |
National team‡ | |||
2015 | Spain U18 | 2 | (0) |
2014–2016 | Spain U19 | 9 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 May 2021 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 March 2016 |
Born in Gijón, Asturias, Rivera was a Sporting de Gijón youth graduate. In July 2013 he nearly joined Atlético Madrid,[2] but his transfer was blocked by Sporting's board and he was left out of the Juvenil squad; on 2 September of the following year he moved to Real Oviedo instead.[3]
Initially appearing with the B-team in Tercera División, Rivera was called up to the main squad in May 2015. He made his first team debut on the 16th, starting in a 2–3 away loss against Coruxo FC in the Segunda División B championship.[4]
Rivera made his professional debut on 4 October 2015, coming on as a half-time substitute for Diego Aguirre in a 1–1 Segunda División home draw against RCD Mallorca.[5] Thirteen days later he scored his first goal in the category, netting his team's last in a 3–2 home win against AD Alcorcón.[6]
On 1 July 2016, Rivera signed a three-year deal with La Liga side SD Eibar.[7] He made his debut in the category on 19 August, starting in a 1–2 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña.
On 11 January 2018, Rivera was loaned to FC Barcelona B in the second division until the end of the season, with an option to buy.[8] He moved to fellow second division side UD Las Palmas on 31 July, after agreeing to a four-year deal.[9]
On 25 October 2018, Rivera joined SD Huesca in the main category on loan until the end of the season, replacing injured Luisinho.[10] The following 2 September, after suffering relegation, he moved to CD Leganés also in a temporary deal.[11]
On 31 January 2020, Rivera's loan with Lega was terminated, and he instead joined Girona FC on loan until June.[12][13] Upon returning, he was assigned to Las Palmas' main squad, but under a layoff;[14] the club later revoked the decision.[15]
On 19 July 2021, Rivera returned to his first club Sporting after signing a four-year contract.[16]
Oviedo
Sporting de Gijón – current squad | |
---|---|