FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.03.2009 11:05

Academy graduates boost Malaga

Edgar Fornós

Barca’s next opponent in the Spanish league, Malaga CF, has four players who learnt their trade in the Barça academy: Francesc Arnau, Iván Cuadrado, Miguel Ángel and Albert Luque.

Hundreds of players have come out of the Masia over the years, including four of the current Malaga squad: Arnau (goalkeeper), Iván Cuadrado (defender), Miguel Ángel (midfielder), and Luque (forward).

A safe pair of hands

Goalkeeper Francesc Arnau was born in Las Planas (Girona) 33 years ago and has been with Malaga for eight years after coming up through the Barça youth ranks. He made his Barça first team debut in the 1996/97 season against Atlético Madrid.

Firm in defence

Iván Cuadrado, who was born in Salamanca, never actually reached the Barça first team, moving directly to Murcia from Barça B and making his first division debut with his new club in the 2003/04 season. At the age of 30 he has become one of Malaga’s new signings for the current season.

Midfield playmaker

Miguel Ángel entered the Barça academy at the age of 15 having previously played youth team football for Sabadell. He too reached Barça B before moving to Levante. He joined Malaga this season after four seasons with Betis and Levante (for the second time).

Experience

Catalan striker Luque re-joined Malaga in the summer from Ajax. He started his footballing career with Barça but made his first division debut with Mallorca in the 1998/99 season. He has also played for Deportivo and Newcastle, as well as a previous stint with Malaga in the 1999/00 season.