Diego Orejuela Rodríguez (born 20 January 1962) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Orejuela Rodríguez | ||
| Date of birth | (1962-01-20) 20 January 1962 (age 60) | ||
| Place of birth | La Luisiana, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Español | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979–1991 | Español | 245 | (14) |
| 1979–1980 | → Figueres (loan) | ||
| 1980–1981 | → Sabadell (loan) | 16 | (1) |
| 1981–1982 | → Figueres (loan) | ||
| 1982 | → Lleida (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 1991–1993 | Palamós | 66 | (7) |
| National team | |||
| 1978 | Spain U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 1984 | Spain U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 1984 | Spain amateur | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in La Luisiana, Province of Seville, Orejuela made his professional debuts with RCD Español, being an undisputed starter since age 21 after serving four loans in the lower leagues, all in Catalonia, and remaining as such for the following six years. He scored three goals in the Pericos' 1987–88 runner-up campaign in the UEFA Cup, having also captained the team for a number of years.
After a last weak season in La Liga – just 12 games, only two complete – Orejuela retired also in the area in 1993, playing two years with Español neighbours Palamós CF in the second division.
Orejuela's older brother, Jesús, was also a professional footballer. A striker, he represented in the top level Espanyol (coinciding with Diego from 1982 to 1984), CA Osasuna and Real Zaragoza.[1]
Their cousin, Antonio, also played the sport. A midfielder, he appeared mainly for RCD Mallorca and Atlético Madrid.