Iago Aspas

Celta

Aspas was born in Moaña, Province of Pontevedra. Brought through the youth ranks of local club Celta de Vigo, he made his first-team debut in the 2007–08 season with the side in Segunda División, then played his second game on 6 June 2009: brought on as a 59th-minute substitute against Alavés, he scored both of his team's goals in a 2–1 home win, being essential as they eventually escaped relegation. When he was 17, he was loaned to neighbouring Rápido de Bouzas, where he spent his penultimate year as a junior.

Aspas was definitively promoted from the reserves for 2009–10, going on to appear in several more campaigns in the second tier with the Galicians. In the 2011–12 season, he scored a career-best 23 league goals, second-best in the competition behind Almería's Leonardo Ulloa as Celta returned to La Liga after a five-year absence; as a result of his performances, he was voted best forward and Zarra Trophy winner for the division.

Aspas made his top flight debut on 18 August 2012, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Málaga. He scored his first goal in the competition the following month, contributing to a 2–0 win over Osasuna also at Balaídos Stadium, and added a further 11 during the campaign to help the side escape relegation in the final matchday.

On 15 March 2013, during the 3–1 Galician derby away loss to Deportivo de La Coruña, Aspas was sent off after half an hour for headbutting Carlos Marchena.