Alberto Zapater

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Alberto Zapater
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Zapater with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2012
Personal information
Full name Alberto Zapater Arjol[1]
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Place of birth Ejea de los Caballeros, Spain
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Youth career
Ejea
1997–2004 Zaragoza
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2009 Zaragoza 177 (5)
2009–2010 Genoa 28 (3)
2010–2011 Sporting CP 22 (2)
2011–2015 Lokomotiv Moscow 27 (1)
2016–2023 Zaragoza 203 (5)
2023–2025 Atlético Ottawa 62 (3)
Total 519 (19)
International career
2005 Spain U20 5 (1)
2004–2006 Spain U21 14 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

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Alberto Zapater Arjol (born 13 June 1985) is a Spanish former professional footballer who plays mainly as a defensive midfielder.

He spent most of his career with Zaragoza, appearing in 422 official games and scoring 12 goals.[2][3][4]

Club career

Zaragoza

Zapater was born in Ejea de los Caballeros, Province of Zaragoza.[5] He joined his hometown side Real Zaragoza's academy at the age of 12.[6]

The first-team manager, former Spanish international Víctor Muñoz, was impressed enough, allowing Zapater to join them for preseason training. He was given his official debut on Zaragoza's first game of 2004–05, against Valencia CF in the Supercopa de España: although the Aragonese ended up losing 1–0 he put up a solid performance overall, confirmed in the 3–1 second leg away win.[7][6]

At just 19, Zapater went on to feature in 31 La Liga matches, netting in a 2 March 2005 defeat at Real Sociedad where he was also sent off.[8] In the following campaign, he helped the club to finish as runners-up in the Copa del Rey (losing the final to RCD Espanyol)[6] while also only missing three league matches; his strong tackling and the amount of fouls he committed earned him the nickname of 'The Bull', given by Diego Maradona.[9]

In the next two seasons, after renewing his contract until June 2010,[10] Zapater remained an undisputed starter, only missing four games while experiencing qualification for the UEFA Cup in 2006–07, and relegation the following year.[6]

Abroad

In late July 2009, after being instrumental in Zaragoza's return to the top division, and already playing pre-season football with the Maños, Zapater left for Genoa CFC for around €4.5 million, as the Spaniards were also immerse in a deep financial crisis.[11][12] He held an emotional press conference before parting ways with his boyhood team,[13] whilst fans paid tribute to the player dedicating a song to him.[14]

On 17 September 2009, Zapater had the distinction of scoring the first ever goal in the Europa League proper, with a fourth-minute strike against SK Slavia Prague.[15] He started throughout most of his debut season in Serie A – his maiden appearance in the competition being marked with a goal and an assist in a 3–2 home win over AS Roma[16]– as Genoa finished in mid-table. Before the end of the campaign and during the subsequent off-season he was linked with a move to several clubs,[17][18][19] but nothing ever materialised.

Zapater was sold to Sporting CP on 30 July 2010, as Miguel Veloso moved in the opposite direction.[20] Used intermittently in his only season[21] he did appear in 34 official games for the Lions, scoring four times.[22]

On 3 August 2011, Zapater moved to FC Lokomotiv Moscow on a free transfer, signing a five-year contract.[23] He made his first Russian Premier League appearance on 11 September, setting up Manuel da Costa's goal in a 4–2 win over FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. In an interview with Zaragoza-based newspaper El Periódico de Aragón in late 2012, he spoke of his development in the new reality and his efforts to learn the Russian language.[24]

Return to Zaragoza

On 19 June 2016, Zapater returned to Zaragoza after agreeing to a two-year deal.[25] New manager Natxo González deployed him further up the field,[26] and he responded by scoring five goals in the 2017–18 season, once in the promotion playoffs against CD Numancia; he would only find the net again four years later.[27]

Zapater left the La Romareda in May 2023 after seven years in the Segunda División, aged 38. At the time of his departure, he was the third player with the most appearances for the club at 422.[28]

Atlético Ottawa

On 28 June 2023, Canadian Premier League club Atlético Ottawa signed Zapater for the remainder of the campaign, with an option to extend in 2024.[29] He remained at the TD Place Stadium until the end of the 2025 season as co-captain, with the 40-year-old announcing shortly before its closure that he would be retiring.[30]

Zapater featured 11 minutes of the Premier League final on 9 November 2025, a 2–1 extra-time victory against Cavalry FC.[31]

International career

Zapater took part in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, in a Spanish team that also featured future senior internationals Cesc Fàbregas, Fernando Llorente and David Silva. He scored his first and the only goal in a 3–1 defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals.[32]

After that, Zapater immediately established himself as an under-21 regular.[33]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[34]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Zaragoza 2004–05 La Liga 31 1 1 1 — 8 0 2[a] 0 42 2
2005–06 35 0 9 0 — — — 44 0
2006–07 36 0 3 0 — — — 39 0
2007–08 36 2 4 0 — 2 0 — 42 2
2008–09 Segunda División 39 2 1 0 — — — 40 2
Total 177 5 18 1 — 10 0 2 0 207 6
Genoa 2009–10 Serie A 28 3 1 0 — 7 1 — 36 4
Sporting CP 2010–11 Primeira Liga 22 2 1 0 3 2 8 0 — 34 4
Lokomotiv Moscow 2011–12 Russian Premier League 21 1 2 0 — 9 0 — 32 1
2012–13 5 0 0 0 — — — 5 0
2013–14 1 0 0 0 — — — 1 0
2014–15 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
2015–16 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 27 1 2 0 — 9 0 0 0 38 1
Zaragoza 2016–17 Segunda División 42 0 0 0 — — — 42 0
2017–18 39 4 3 0 — — 2[b] 1 44 5
2018–19 26 0 0 0 — — — 26 0
2019–20 7 0 0 0 — — 1[b] 0 8 0
2020–21 29 0 2 0 — — — 31 0
2021–22 31 0 3 0 — — — 34 0
2022–23 29 1 1 0 — — — 30 1
Total 203 5 9 0 — — 3 1 215 6
Atlético Ottawa 2023 Canadian Premier League 16 0 0 0 — — — 16 0
2024 23 3 3 2 — — 1 0 27 5
2025 23 0 5 0 — — 1 0 29 0
Total 62 3 8 2 — 0 0 2 0 72 5
Career total 519 19 39 3 3 2 34 1 7 1 602 27

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  1. ^ Appearances in Supercopa de España
  2. ^ a b Appearances in La Liga play-offs

Honours

Zaragoza

Atlético Ottawa

References

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  1. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Zapater". Diario AS. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Ramírez, A. (4 May 2009). "Alberto Zapater: "Estoy orgulloso de llevar ya 200 partidos"" [Alberto Zapater: "I am proud to have played 200 games already"]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Valero, S. (28 May 2022). "El Real Zaragoza pide a Zapater un año más y el capitán seguirá en el proyecto" [Real Zaragoza ask Zapater for one more year and the captain will remain in the project]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 June 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.L. Velasco, Javier (25 May 2023). "Las cifras de Zapater" [Zapater's numbers]. Heraldo de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 June 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  5. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Sánchez, Sergio (9 June 2023). "Zapater: "Podría entender que te preocupase lo que dijo Valdano, pero no PepitoPérez17"" [Zapater: "I could understand one getting worried due to what Valdano said, but not PepitoPérez17"] (in Spanish). Relevo. Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  6. ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Los diez momentos zaragocistas de Alberto Zapater" [Alberto Zapater's ten Zaragoza moments] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  7. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."El Zaragoza noquea al Valencia y gana la Supercopa" [Zaragoza knock Valencia out and win the Supercup]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 August 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rodrigálvarez, Eduardo (3 March 2005). "La Real se impone a un Zaragoza desafortunado" [Real overcome hapless Zaragoza]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  9. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Alberto Zapater: "Sé dónde quiero estar"" [Alberto Zapater: "I know where I want to be"]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 27 June 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Acedo, Francisco (28 July 2006). "Zapater stays with Zaragoza". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Genoa get hold of Zapater". UEFA. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Quixano, Jordi (31 July 2009). "Un descosido en el escudo" [Badge comes undone]. El País (in español). Retrieved 8 February 2013.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.R. Bravo, Chema (29 July 2009). "Gracias a la gente" [Thanks to the people]. Heraldo de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Hubo cánticos en recuerdo de Alberto Zapater" [Chants in memory of Alberto Zapater]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 30 August 2009. Retrieved 27 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  15. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."In-form Genoa see off Slavia". UEFA. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Manfredi, Jacopo (23 August 2009). "Genoa spettacolo – La Roma cade" [Genoa show – Roma fall]. La Repubblica (in Italian). Retrieved 15 November 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Masiello, Vince (4 January 2010). "Juventus target Genoa midfielder Alberto Zapater – Report". Goal. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Fryer, Rupert (12 January 2010). "Lazio closing in on Genoa midfielder Alberto Zapater – Report". Goal. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  19. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Coerts, Stefan (26 May 2010). "Valencia tracking Genoa midfielder Alberto Zapater – Report". Goal. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Veloso leaves Sporting in Zapater swap". UEFA. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  21. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."El Sporting coloca el cartel de transferible al español Alberto Zapater" [Sporting transferlist Spaniard Alberto Zapater]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 11 July 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  22. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.""El Toro" Zapater es el protagonista de la prensa deportiva lusa" ["The Bull" Zapater is the protagonist in Portugal's sports press]. El Diario Vasco (in Spanish). 25 January 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Альберто Сапатер: "В "Локомотиве" можно решать самые амбициозные задачи" [Alberto Zapater: "Lokomotiv can take on whatever comes"] (in Russian). FC Lokomotiv Moscow. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Martín, Ignacio (26 November 2012). "Alberto Zapater: "Un ruso te dice que le caes bien y te parece que te está insultando"" [Alberto Zapater: "A Russian tells you he likes you and it looks like you're being insulted"]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 April 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."El Real Zaragoza llega a un acuerdo para la incorporación de Alberto Zapater" [Real Zaragoza reach an agreement to add Alberto Zapater] (in Spanish). Real Zaragoza. 19 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  26. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.R. Bravo, Chema (2 March 2018). "Natxo reinventa a Zapater" [Natxo reinvents Zapater]. Heraldo de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Marín, Javier (16 October 2022). "Zapater vuelve a marcar más de cuatro años después" [Zapater scores again more than four years later]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  28. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Marín, Javier (26 May 2023). "La Romareda despide con grandes honores a Alberto Zapater" [La Romareda says goodbye to Alberto Zapater with major honours]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 June 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  29. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Atlético Ottawa signs legendary Spanish midfielder Alberto Zapater". Atlético Ottawa. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Jacques, John (9 October 2025). "Eternal captain: Alberto Zapater to retire at season's end". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  31. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Tierney, Mitchell (10 November 2025). "HIGHLIGHTS: Atlético Ottawa win first North Star Cup, beat Cavalry in snow spectacle". OneSoccer. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  32. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."2005, Mundial sub'20 (I): Sueños de gloria" [2005, under'20 World Cup (I): Dreams of glory] (in Spanish). Recuerdos de Nigeria. 19 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  33. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Turner, Lucy (6 September 2006). ""Sense of fury" keeps Spain alive". UEFA. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  34. ^ Alberto Zapater at SoccerwayTemplate:Edit at Wikidata
  35. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Astruells, Andrés (13 April 2006). "¡Increíble Espanyol!" [Incredible Espanyol!]. Mundo Deportivo (in español). Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
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