Juan Ángel Neira (born 21 February 1989) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Greek Super League club OFI.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Juan Ángel Neira | ||
| Date of birth | (1989-02-21) 21 February 1989 (age 33) | ||
| Place of birth | La Plata, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | OFI | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2013 | Gimnasia LP | 39 | (8) |
| 2011–2012 | → Lanús (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | → Valladolid (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Estudiantes Tecos | 22 | (1) |
| 2013–2014 | Mineros de Zacatecas | 0 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Fénix | 4 | (0) |
| 2015 | Newell's Old Boys | 3 | (0) |
| 2015–2017 | Coras | 37 | (6) |
| 2016–2017 | → Mineros de Zacatecas (loan) | 16 | (3) |
| 2017–2018 | Zacatepec | 47 | (11) |
| 2018– | OFI | 97 | (20) |
| National team | |||
| 2008–2009 | Argentina U20 | 6 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 August 2022 | |||
In August 2011, Neira joined Lanús on a one-year loan from Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, with an option to sign permanently.[1] Lanús did not choose the option, and in 2012 Neira signed another one-year loan with the Spanish team Valladolid. On 31 July 2013, he joined the Mexican Ascenso MX side Estudiantes Tecos.[2] The following years he played mostly in Mexico.
On 29 June 2018, he signed a year contract with newly Superleague club OFI.[3] In his debut season with the Greek club, Juan appeared in 24 matches, scoring 6 goals and giving 1 assist. On 4 July 2019, he signed a contract renewal until the summer of 2021.[4]
His first goal for the 2019–20 season came in a 3–1 home win against Asteras Tripolis, on 29 September 2019.[5] On 6 October 2019, he scored in a triumphant 4–1 home win against Panionios.[6] On 4 December 2019, Neira scored a brace in a 4–0 home win against Kavala, securing his team's spot in the round of 16 of the Greek Cup.[7]
On 4 January 2020, he scored in a 2–1 home loss against Volos.[8]
On 4 July 2020, he scored with a nice left-footed strike in a 2–2 home draw against PAOK.[9]
He scored in the 2020–21 season's opener, a 1-1 home draw against Panetolikos, on 12 September 2020. [10] On 23 November 2020, he scored with a penalty in an emphatic 4-1 away win against Volos. [11] The following week, he scored with a penalty in a 2-1 win against PAS Giannina, the first at home for the season. [12]
In January 2009, Neira was selected to join the Argentina under-20 squad for the 2009 South American Youth Championship held in Venezuela.[13]
OFI Crete F.C. – current squad | |
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