Pablo Couñago
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| Pablo Couñago | ||
 |
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pablo González Couñago | |
| Date of birth | August 9, 1979 | |
| Place of birth | Redondela, Spain | |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Ipswich Town | |
| Number | 9 | |
| Youth career | ||
| 1995–1998 | Celta Vigo | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1998 1998–2001 1999–2000 2001–2005 2005–2007 2007– |
→ Numancia (loan) Celta Vigo → Recreativo (loan) Ipswich Town Málaga CF Ipswich Town |
13 (1) 9 (0) 26 (4) 99 (31) 54 (10) 87 (21) |
| National team2 | ||
| 1998–1999 1999–2001 |
Spain U20 Spain U21 |
13 (6) 15 (9) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Pablo González Couñago (born August 9, 1979 in Redondela, Pontevedra, Galicia) is a Spanish footballer who currently plays for Ipswich Town FC, as a striker.
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[edit] Football career
A product of local Celta de Vigo's youth ranks, Couñago made his professional debuts in the second division, loaned to CD Numancia, but returned in January 1999 to appear in one league game. In 1999-2000 he returned to the second level, yet on loan, now with Recreativo de Huelva, after which he returned to Vigo, still with no impact.
A regular Spanish under-21 international from 1999 to 2001 (he was joint topscorer and received the Golden Shoe in the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, playing alongside Celta teammate Pablo Coira, as Spain emerged victorious), his potential was highlighted in February 2001, when he scored twice in a 4–0 rout of England U21s. The match was watched by George Burley, who was then Ipswich Town's manager. This prompted him to sign Couñago, who was out of contract, agreeing a four-year deal with the player.
In 2005-06, Couñago joined Málaga CF,[1]scoring only three times in 27 contests as the Andalusians ranked last. After being released, on 13 July 2007, he re-signed for the Tractor Boys on a two-year deal, extendable to three if the club gained promotion.[2]Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton said of Couñago: "I have always looked at Pablo as a player with all the attributes to be top class. He enjoyed a good relationship with the fans of this club, but I don't think anyone really saw the best of Pablo in his first spell here". The player stated: "It's great to be back here at Ipswich. I'm really excited about the move. As soon as I knew that Jim wanted me I was keen to come back. It's good to feel wanted. I also know the way Jim likes to play football, pass, pass, pass and that is good for me as well". He scored a return debut goal in the 4–1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday and added two in the 4–1 win over Coventry City, on September 22.
As of April 17, 2008, Couñago was Ipswich's joint topscorer with 12 goals.[3]One of those goals, an audacious back heel in a 3-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic on December 8, 2007, was voted goal of the 2007-08 campaign, also being of the winners at Town's 07-08 awards night.[4]He finished the season without any further successful strikes.
On February 21, 2009, Pablo started his 192nd league game for Ipswich and scored his 50th league goal for the club, in a 1-3 win over promotion rivals Queens Park Rangers.
[edit] Personal life
Couñago's surnames are actually González Couñago, the latter from his mother. However, due to the popularity of González, he chose to call himself by his mother's surname.
Couñago has one son, Iago, born in April 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ Ambrose accepts Charlton challenge
- ^ "Couñago makes return to Ipswich". BBC Sport. 2007-07-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/6291582.stm. Retrieved on 2008-03-23.
- ^ "Ipswich Town F.C. team". Ipswich Town F.C.. http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TeamHome/0,,10272,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
- ^ "Jon at The Double". Ipswich Town F.C.. http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1295807,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
[edit] External links
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