Manolín (footballer, born 1988)
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel Sánchez López (born 13 September 1988), known as Manolín, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Gibraltar Football League club St Joseph's. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also play as a central defender.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Manuel Sánchez López[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 13 September 1988[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Córdoba, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | St Joseph's | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| UDC Sur | |||
| Séneca CF | |||
| Córdoba | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007–2009 | Écija | 26 | (1) |
| 2009–2010 | Poli Ejido | 14 | (1) |
| 2010–2011 | Córdoba B | 30 | (3) |
| 2011–2012 | La Unión | 30 | (4) |
| 2012–2013 | Guijuelo | 33 | (3) |
| 2013–2014 | La Hoya Lorca | 30 | (1) |
| 2014–2016 | Huesca | 47 | (2) |
| 2016 | Osasuna | 8 | (0) |
| 2016 | Alcorcón | 5 | (0) |
| 2017 | UCAM Murcia | 12 | (0) |
| 2017–2020 | Elche | 84 | (6) |
| 2020–2021 | Ávila | 22 | (2) |
| 2022–2023 | Europa | 18 | (5) |
| 2023– | St Joseph's | 57 | (11) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:49, 11 April 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Born in Córdoba, Andalusia, Manolín graduated from Córdoba CF's youth academy, and made his debut as a senior with Écija Balompié in 2007, in the Segunda División B.[2] On 2 August 2009, he moved to Polideportivo Ejido also of the third division.[3]
On 31 August 2010, Manolín returned to Córdoba, being assigned to the reserves who competed in the Tercera División.[4] In the summer of 2011, he signed with CF La Unión one league above.[5]
Manolín remained in the third tier the following years, representing CD Guijuelo,[6] La Hoya Lorca CF[7] and SD Huesca.[8] He appeared in 38 matches and scored two goals during the season with the latter club, as it returned to Segunda División after a two-year absence.[9][10]
Manolín made his professional debut on 22 August 2015 at the age of 27, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–3 home loss against Deportivo Alavés.[11] On 10 January of the following year, after terminating his contract, he joined CA Osasuna also in the second division.[12]
On 23 June 2016, having achieved promotion to La Liga as a starter in the play-offs,[13] Manolín was released and signed with second-tier side AD Alcorcón.[14] On 20 December, he became a free agent[15] and joined UCAM Murcia CF of the same league three days later.[16]
On 20 July 2017, Manolín agreed to a deal at Elche CF.[17] He again promoted to the second division at the end of his debut campaign, contributing 34 games and four goals to the feat.[18]
Manolín left the Estadio Martínez Valero on 28 August 2020, after another promotion.[19] In September, he signed for amateurs Real Ávila CF.[20]