David López (footballer, born 1982)


David López Moreno is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for CD Eldense as a midfielder.
He amassed La Liga totals of 196 matches and 23 goals over eight seasons, for Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao. He also spent two years in the English Championship, with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Club career

Osasuna

López was born in Logroño, La Rioja. A product of CA Osasuna's youth ranks, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 17 October 2004 in a 3–2 home win against Albacete Balompié, and finished his first season with 13 games and one goal, scored in his first appearance.
The following campaign, López was an undisputed starter as the Navarrese side achieved a first ever qualification to the UEFA Champions League. The player contributed with six goals to this feat, including a crucial one in the last matchday, a 2–1 home success over Valencia CF.
As Osasuna was "demoted" to the UEFA Cup, López appeared 11 in matches in the team's semi-finals run, netting in 3–0 away defeats of Parma FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Athletic Bilbao

In summer 2007, López signed with neighbours Athletic Bilbao for around €6 million. His official debut was on 28 August in a 0–0 home draw against his former team, and he was automatic first-choice in his first two years, appearing in 61 league matches combined; in his second he helped the Basques narrowly avoid relegation, scoring at Recreativo de Huelva, and at home against Sporting de Gijón and Racing de Santander.
López netted a career-best – joint – six goals from 28 appearances in 2010–11, but became a fringe player for the Lions after the arrival of Argentine Marcelo Bielsa as club manager. On 31 August 2012, his contract with Athletic was rescinded by mutual consent.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Immediately after being released, López transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship, signing a one-year contract. During his spell at the Falmer Stadium, he was nicknamed 'Spanish Dave'.

Later years

After leaving England at the age of 32, López spent three full seasons in his country's Segunda División, first with CD Lugo and then SD Huesca. Subsequently, he took his game to the lower leagues.

Honours

Athletic Bilbao