Joan Oriol


Joan Oriol Gràcia is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Lleida Esportiu as a left back.

Club career

Born in Cambrils, Tarragona, Catalonia, Oriol played lower league or amateur football in his first four years as a senior. In the 2008–09 season he helped Villarreal CF's B-team promote to Segunda División for the first time ever, scoring two goals in 32 games.
Oriol made his debut for the main squad on 6 January 2010, playing the full 90 minutes and being booked in a 1–1 away draw against RC Celta de Vigo for the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey. On 27 November of that year he made his first appearance in La Liga, starting in a 3–0 victory at Real Zaragoza.
From 2011 to 2013, Oriol was both relegated and promoted with the Yellow Submarine, featuring in an average of 22 matches in the process. On 2 July 2013 the free agent signed a three-year contract with CA Osasuna, with a €5 million clause.
In early August 2014, following Osasuna's relegation, Oriol agreed to a one-year deal with the option of a further year with Football League Championship side Blackpool, linking up with his twin brother Eduard. On 12 January 2015, his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
On 4 July 2015, after a short spell at FC Rapid București in Romania, Oriol signed a two-year contract with RCD Mallorca. On 31 August 2017, after being relegated to Segunda División B, he agreed to a 1+1 deal at Atromitos F.C. from Greece.

Personal life

Oriol's twin brother, Eduard, was also a footballer. A winger, he shared teams with his sibling on several occasions.