• Source: Javi Chica

Francisco Javier "Javi" Chica Torres (born 17 May 1985) is a Spanish former footballer. Capable of appearing at either right or left-back, his main asset was his physical strength. He is the current manager of Espanyol's Juvenil A.
He spent the better part of his professional career with Espanyol, appearing in 136 competitive matches over a five-year spell. In La Liga, he also represented Betis.




Club career






= Espanyol

=
Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Chica was a product of RCD Espanyol's youth system. He made his first-team debut on 15 October 2006 in a 0–0 away draw against Villarreal CF, and appeared in 27 La Liga games in his first year, adding ten as the club went all the way to the final of the UEFA Cup, losing it to fellow Spaniards Sevilla FC (he did not play the decisive match itself).
Never an undisputed starter in the following seasons, Chica continued to be regularly used at Espanyol, featuring in an average of more than 20 matches per season as either a right or left-back.




= Betis

=
In late May 2011, free agent Chica signed a four-year contract with Real Betis, recently returned to the top division. He made his official debut on 27 August, starting at right-back in a 1–0 away win against Granada CF.
Chica scored his first goal as a senior on 20 April 2014, but it happened in a 3–1 loss at Rayo Vallecano; the Andalusians also suffered relegation at the end of the campaign after ranking last.




= Valladolid

=
On 9 July 2014, despite having still one year left on his Betis contract, Chica agreed to a two-year deal with Real Valladolid, also in the Segunda División. He totalled 60 games during his stint at the Estadio José Zorrilla.




= Later career

=
Chica returned to his native region in January 2017, joining Segunda División B side UE Llagostera. Before retiring in 2019 at the age of 34, he spent one year with amateurs FE Grama.
In summer 2020, Chica returned to Espanyol as youth coach.




Honours


Espanyol

UEFA Cup runner-up: 2006–07
Spain U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2004




References






External links


Javi Chica at BDFutbol
Javi Chica manager profile at BDFutbol
Javi Chica at Futbolme (in Spanish)
Javi Chica at LaPreferente.com (in Spanish)
Javi Chica – FIFA competition record (archived)
Javi Chica at Soccerway

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Javier Chica
• Final Piala UEFA 2007
• Piala UEFA 2006–2007
• Javi Chica
• Chica (name)
• RCD Espanyol B
• 2023 Kings League
• 2007–08 RCD Espanyol season
• 2008–09 RCD Espanyol season
• 2007 UEFA Cup final
• List of Catalan footballers
• 2006–07 RCD Espanyol season
• 2023–24 Segunda Federación