Cristian Castells Ortega (born 19 October 1984) is a Spanish footballer who plays for CF Independiente Alicante as a central defender.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristian Castells Ortega | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-10-19) 19 October 1984 (age 37) | ||
| Place of birth | Sueca, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Independiente Alicante | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1998 | Sueca | ||
| 1998–2003 | Valencia | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2007 | Valencia B | 37 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | → Eldense (loan) | ||
| 2005–2006 | → Villajoyosa (loan) | 23 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Poli Ejido | 30 | (3) |
| 2008–2009 | Alicante | 28 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Alavés | 31 | (2) |
| 2010–2011 | Melilla | 15 | (1) |
| 2011 | Pontevedra | 14 | (1) |
| 2011–2013 | Burgos | 58 | (4) |
| 2013 | Platanias | 4 | (0) |
| 2014 | Cullera | ? | (1) |
| 2014–2015 | Terracina | ||
| 2015 | Sueca | 1 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Recambios Colón | 5 | (0) |
| 2016 | Ceahlăul | 10 | (0) |
| 2016 | Derry City | 3 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Torre Levante | 60 | (5) |
| 2018–2020 | Carcaixent | 41 | (0) |
| 2020– | Independiente Alicante | 9 | (1) |
| Total | 369 | (18) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 December 2020 | |||
Castells was born in Sueca, Valencia. An unsuccessful youth graduate of Valencia CF, he spent most of his career in the third division, also having spells in the second with Polideportivo Ejido[1] and Alicante CF[2] (both ended in relegation).
In the 2012–13 season, at already 28, Castells had his first top-flight experience, representing Platanias F.C. in the Super League Greece. In January 2014, however, after only six competitive matches in one and a half years, he returned to his country and his native region, signing with amateurs CF Cullera.
Castells rarely settled in the following years, representing Spanish amateur clubs and professional teams in Romania (Liga II) and Northern Ireland.[3][4]
Castells' younger brother, Marc, was also a footballer. A midfielder, he also represented Poli Ejido, but spent the vast majority of his career in the lower leagues.[5]