Francisco Miguel Varela Martín (born 26 October 1994) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a left back for San Fernando CD.
![]() Varela with Betis in 2015 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Francisco Miguel Varela Martín | ||
Date of birth | (1994-10-26) 26 October 1994 (age 27) | ||
Place of birth | Atarfe, Spain | ||
Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||
Position(s) | Left back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | San Fernando | ||
Number | 19 | ||
Youth career | |||
Granada | |||
2007–2012 | Betis | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2014 | Betis B | 60 | (6) |
2014–2016 | Betis | 36 | (0) |
2016–2018 | Oviedo | 24 | (1) |
2018–2019 | Rayo Majadahonda | 25 | (1) |
2019–2021 | Belenenses SAD | 9 | (0) |
2020 | Belenenses SAD B | 2 | (0) |
2021– | San Fernando | 9 | (0) |
National team | |||
2012 | Spain U18 | 2 | (0) |
2012–2013 | Spain U19 | 6 | (0) |
2012 | Spain U20 | 4 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 March 2021 |
Born in Atarfe, Granada, Andalusia, Varela graduated from Real Betis' youth setup, after starting it out at neighbouring Granada CF.[1] He made his senior debuts with the reserves in the 2011–12 campaign, in Segunda División B.
On 4 May 2013 Varela was called up to the main squad for a La Liga match against FC Barcelona,[2] but was an unused substitute in the eventual 2–4 away loss a day later.[3] He played his first match as a professional on 27 February 2014, replacing Rubén Castro in the 81st minute of a 2–0 away win against FC Rubin Kazan in that season's UEFA Europa League.[4]
On 24 July 2014 Varela renewed his contract with the Verdiblancos, running until 2016.[5] He made his league debut on 23 November, starting in a 1–2 home loss against Deportivo Alavés in the Segunda División championship.[6]
On 5 May 2015, Varela renewed his contract for a further season,[7] and subsequently achieved promotion to La Liga after appearing in 22 matches. He made his debut in the category on 27 September, starting in a 2–1 away win against Sporting de Gijón.[8]
On 14 July 2016, Varela signed a two-year contract with Real Oviedo in the second level, after being deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Gus Poyet.[9] He scored his only goal for the Asturians on 11 December with a late direct free kick nine minutes after replacing Néstor Susaeta in a 2–1 loss at Real Zaragoza,[10] but later lost his starting place under manager Fernando Hierro and ended his season in April 2017 to undergo surgery on his left knee.[11]
On 6 July 2018, Varela moved to fellow league team CF Rayo Majadahonda.[12] He played 26 times as the newly promoted side went straight back down, and scored once to open a 4–3 loss at Oviedo on his return to the Estadio Carlos Tartiere on 4 June 2019; the loss in the penultimate game of the season confirmed their relegation.[13]
On 30 July 2019, after Rayo's relegation, Varela moved abroad for the first time by signing for Portugal's Belenenses SAD on a three-year deal.[14] He made his debut in the Primeira Liga in the season opener on 9 August, starting in a goalless draw at Portimonense SC.[15] He lost his place to the unrelated youngster Nilton Varela after Petit became the manager, could not find a new suitor in the January 2020 transfer window, and following a shoulder operation in his homeland in March did not return to Lisbon again.[16]
In January 2021, Varela went back to his country, signing for third-tier San Fernando CD.[17]
Club | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Betis B | 2009–10[18] | Segunda División B | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
2012–13[18] | Segunda División B | 34 | 3 | — | — | 34 | 3 | |||
2013–14[19] | Tercera División | 14 | 3 | — | 4[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 18 | 3 | ||
2014–15[18] | Segunda División B | 10 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 3 | |||
Total | 60 | 6 | — | 4 | 0 | 64 | 6 | |||
Betis | 2012–13[18] | La Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
2013–14[18] | La Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
2014–15[18] | Segunda División | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | ||
2015–16[18] | La Liga | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | ||
Total | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 | ||
Oviedo | 2016–17[18] | Segunda División | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 | 1 | |
2017–18[18] | Segunda División | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
Total | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | |||
Career total | 114 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 121 | 7 |