Andrea Orlandi


Andrea Orlandi Stabilin is a Spanish former footballer who played as a left winger or an attacking midfielder.
After playing as a youth with Alavés, he went to spend the vast majority of his professional career in the United Kingdom, starting out at Swansea City in 2007.
He currently works in a YouTube communication medium called "La Media Inglesa".

Club career

Spain

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Orlandi started his senior career with Deportivo Alavés, only managing two appearances for the first team during his two-year spell, with the Basque in Segunda División. In the 2005 summer he was loaned to hometown side FC Barcelona, also being almost exclusively associated with the reserves.
On 20 May 2006, as Barça were already crowned La Liga champions, Orlandi made his first – and only – league appearance for the Catalans' main squad, pitching in at left back in a 1–3 away loss against Athletic Bilbao. He also made an appearance in the club's Copa Catalunya win against RCD Espanyol in June 2007, under manager Frank Rijkaard.

Swansea City

In late September 2007, after an unsuccessful trial with Aris Thessaloniki FC, free agent Orlandi signed for Swansea City, moving to the Liberty Stadium on a one-year deal as the club was managed by countryman Roberto Martínez. In July 2010 he was linked to fellow Football League Championship side Leicester City, who had just appointed former Swans boss Paulo Sousa as their new manager, but nothing came of it, and the player renewed his link for a further two years, having done the same the year before.
On 4 July 2011, after having helped Swansea to its first-ever promotion to the Premier League, contributing with 20 games, Orlandi penned a new one-year contract extension with the club. After signing, however, he found opportunities limited in Brendan Rodgers' first team and, on 2 January 2012, he was offered to ADO Den Haag on a temporary basis alongside Thomas Butler and David Cotterill; both Butler and Cotterill were subsequently released from their contracts, with Orlandi opting to remain with the Welsh until the end of the season.
On 28 April 2012 Orlandi scored the fastest Premier League goal in five years, with a diving header from a Scott Sinclair cross after just 25 seconds. Swansea drew the game 4–4 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had already been relegated.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 31 August 2012, Orlandi transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a two-year contract. He scored his first goal for his new team on 27 November, helping to a 2–0 home league win against Bristol City; his second came on 5 January 2013, in an eventual elimination of Newcastle United from the FA Cup.
Appearances in the 2013–14 campaign were limited for Orlandi, and he was released at its closure. He subsequently stated his disappointment for leaving the club, mentioning his child had been born in Brighton.

Blackpool

On 1 August 2014, Orlandi agreed a one-year contract with the option of a further year with Blackpool also in the English second tier, after five days of talks. He was featured in a pre-season friendly against Burnley the following day, alongside eight other triallists; however, the deal was not made official until 8 August, ahead of the season opener against Nottingham Forest, and he made his competitive debut precisely in that match, starting and being booked in a 0–2 away loss.

Anorthosis

On 31 August 2015, Orlandi joined Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta FC on a one-year deal, with an option for a second year. He made his debut on 13 September, in a 3–0 home win against Ethnikos Achna FC for the Cypriot First Division.

APOEL

On 8 June 2016, Orlandi signed a one-year contract with reigning Cypriot champions APOEL FC. He made his competitive debut on 12 July, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute in a 0–0 away draw against The New Saints F.C. for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. He scored his first goal for his new team on 18 January 2017, netting the winner in a 2–1 home victory over Nea Salamis Famagusta FC for the domestic cup.
On 30 January 2017, Orlandi's contract was terminated.

Later years

On 6 August 2018, Orlandi joined Indian Super League franchise Chennaiyin FC after a two-year stint with Novara Calcio in the Italian Serie B. On 31 January 2019, he returned to Italy, signing with Serie C club Virtus Entella. On 25 February 2019, he was diagnosed with previously undetected cardiac pathology and was forced to retire from playing immediately.

Club statistics