Gabriel Francisco García de la Torre, known as Gabri, is a Spanish retired footballer, and a manager. Mainly a midfielder who could play in the right or the middle, he could also appear as an attacking right back, tackling and passing skills being his main assets. He spent seven years of his professional career with Barcelona, winning four major titles but appearing almost exclusively as a backup. He also played four seasons with Ajax. Gabri represented Spain at Euro 2004.
Club career
Barcelona
Born in Sallent de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Gabri started his professional career at FC Barcelona's reserves, where he made his first appearances in the 1997–98 season whilst they competed in Segunda División B. He scored four goals in 28 games, en route to promotion. Gabri was promoted to the main squad for the 1999–2000 campaign, and in the following four years he was a regular but, subsequently and during the team's conquests in 2005–06, would feature less significantly; he was also severely injured during the 2004–05 season, after a 4–1 home win against Real Zaragoza.
Ajax
Gabri's contract at Barcelona was not renewed, and he joined AFC Ajax on a free transfer on 6 June 2006, alongside former teammate Roger García. There, he immediately won the Dutch Supercup in a 3–1 win over PSV Eindhoven in August, and was also a key element in a side that lost the 2007Eredivisie on the last matchday, to precisely that opposition. In May 2007, Gabri won the Dutch Cupon penalties against AZ Alkmaar, in a match where he received a red card in the 79th minute. In August, Ajax successfully defended their Supercup title by beating PSV again, with him as the only goalscorer in the match.
Later years
On 27 May 2010, after a last poor individual season with Ajax – only 13 matches, even though the Amsterdam side finished in second place – 31-year-old Gabri signed with Qatar Stars League club Umm-Salal Sports Club. On 4 July of the following year he moved countries again, joining FC Sion in Switzerland. On 25 July 2012, after having taken almost no part in the Super Leaguecampaign, Gabri changed teams but stayed in the country, signing a contract with FC Lausanne-Sport. He retired two years later at the age of 35, and immediately returned to Barcelona as assistant to their reserves. In July 2015, as part of a reshuffle by incoming director José Segura, Gabri changed roles within the club, becoming the coach of the Juvenil A youth team. On 25 October 2017 he was appointed manager at Sion and, in December of the following year, he signed with FC Andorra in the same capacity. On 24 February 2020, after three consecutive losses and seven matches without a win, he was dismissed.
