Francisco José Rodríguez Gaitán (born 22 May 1995), commonly known as Fran, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a right back for CD Calahorra.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francisco José Rodríguez Gaitán | ||
| Date of birth | (1995-05-22) 22 May 1995 (age 27) | ||
| Place of birth | Almuñécar, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Right back | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Calahorra | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2007 | Almuñécar 77 | ||
| 2007–2008 | Motril | ||
| 2008–2014 | Real Madrid | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2015 | Real Madrid C | 24 | (4) |
| 2014–2016 | Real Madrid B | 29 | (3) |
| 2016–2017 | Zaragoza | 20 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | Almería | 21 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Rayo Majadahonda | 3 | (0) |
| 2020– | Calahorra | 18 | (1) |
| National team | |||
| 2011 | Spain U17 | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 September 2021 | |||
Born in Almuñécar, Granada, Andalusia, Fran joined Real Madrid's youth setup in 2008, aged 13, after spells at AD Almuñécar 77 and Motril CF. He was promoted to the former's C-team in 2014, but made his senior debut with the reserves in a 1–2 away loss against Atlético Madrid B on 24 August.[1]
Fran scored his first senior goal on 12 October 2014, netting the game's only in an away success of the C-side over Internacional de Madrid CF. He was definitely promoted to the B-team ahead of the 2015–16 campaign, and established himself as a regular starter for the side.[2]
On 11 July 2016 Fran signed a three-year contract with Segunda División side Real Zaragoza, as a free agent.[3] He made his professional debut on 27 August, coming on as a second-half substitute for goalscorer Manuel Lanzarote in a 3–3 away draw against CD Lugo.[4]
On 12 July 2017, Fran moved to fellow second division team UD Almería on a two-year deal.[5] In the following March, he suffered a knee injury which took him out of the entire 2018–19 campaign.[6]
Fran subsequently resumed his career in the third division, representing CF Rayo Majadahonda and CD Calahorra.[7]
Fran's older brother Andy is also a footballer. A midfielder, he too was groomed at Real Madrid.[8]