Txiki (footballer, born 1977) explained

Daniel Rodríguez Pérez (born 27 March 1977), known as Txiki, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a left midfielder.

Club career

Txiki was born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa. He spent his first years as a senior in the lower leagues, with Utebo FC, Andorra CF, SD Beasain and Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa.^[1] On 10 October 2001, his 47th-minute free kick was the only goal of the Copa del Rey fixture against Racing de Santander, as Cultural went through to the round of 32;^[2] two months later, he signed for that adversary.^[3]

On 5 January 2002, Txiki made his debut in the Segunda División, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute for Sietes in a 2–1 home win over Polideportivo Ejido.^[4] The following month, he scored in consecutive matches as his team defeated Real Jaén (2–0)^[5] then drew 2–2 at SD Eibar,^[6] being an important member of the Quique Setién-led squad as they promoted to La Liga as runners-up.^[7]

Txiki made the first of his 26 top-flight appearances (for Racing and overall)^{[8] [9]} on 31 August 2002, starting the 0–1 home loss to Real Valladolid.^[10] He returned to division two in the next transfer window, joining Córdoba CF initially on loan.^{[11] [12]}

After two further second-tier seasons with CD Castellón,^{[13] [14]} Txiki retired aged 33 following one-year spells in the third with AD Ceuta^[8] and Zamora CF.^[15]

Notes and References

1. News: Txiki sigue rentando a la Cultural. Txiki still giving money to Cultural. Diario de León. Ángel. Fraguas. es. 23 January 2003. 16 April 2023.
2. News: Quique Setién no arregla al Racing. Quique Setién does not fix Racing. Mundo Deportivo. Óscar. Andrés. es. 11 October 2001. 16 April 2023.
3. News: Txiki: "Es un paso más en mi carrera". Txiki: "It's another step in my career". Diario AS. Jaime. Del Olmo. es. 28 December 2001. 22 September 2022.
4. News: Gana pero no convence. Unconvincing win. Mundo Deportivo. Ernesto. Vicario. es. 6 January 2002. 16 April 2023.
5. News: El Racing de Santander gana al Real Jaén tras el descanso. Racing de Santander beat Real Jaén after half-time. Mundo Deportivo. Ernesto. Vicario. es. 10 February 2002. 16 April 2023.
6. News: Reparto de puntos en un vibrante partido. They share the points in thrilling match. Mundo Deportivo. Óscar. Imedio. es. 18 February 2002. 16 April 2023.
7. News: Setién devuelve al Racing a Primera. Setién return Racing to Primera. Diario AS. es. 19 May 2002. 16 April 2023.
8. News: Txiki del Castellón y Elvis del 74 refuerzan el Ceuta. Castellón's Txiki and 74's Elvis bolster Ceuta. El Pueblo de Ceuta. Manuel. Montero. es. 6 August 2008. 16 April 2023.
9. News: "El papel de la grada será fundamental". "The stands will play a crucial role". El Diario Montañés. Daniel. González. es. 15 March 2017. 22 September 2022.
10. News: Aganzo resuelve con el primer gol de la Liga. Aganzo takes care of business with the League's first goal. El Mundo. es. 31 August 2002. 16 April 2023.
11. News: Txiki, última alta blanquiverde. Txiki, last white-and-green addition. Mundo Deportivo. Carlos. Pérez. es. 29 January 2004. 16 April 2023.
12. News: Piterman, Txiki y Sierra: sin rencores. Piterman, Txiki and Sierra: no grudges. Diario Córdoba. es. 21 December 2004. 16 April 2023.
13. News: El fallo del ´caso Txiki´ se dará a conocer en los próximos días. The 'Txiki affair' to have a verdict soon. Diario Córdoba. es. 26 July 2006. 16 April 2023.
14. News: Txiki pide más minutos para demostrar su valía. Txiki asks for more minutes to show his worth. Diario AS. Juanfran. Roca. es. 30 November 2007. 16 April 2023.
15. News: El Zamora cierra los fichajes de Txiki y Jonan García. Zamora complete signings of Txiki and Jonan García. La Opinión de Zamora. es. 20 August 2009. 16 April 2023.