Christian Joel

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Leal.
Christian Joel
Personal information
Full name Christian Joel Sánchez Leal
Date of birth (1999-07-09) 9 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Havana, Cuba
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Sporting Gijón
Number 13
Youth career
2011–2017 Sporting Gijón
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Sporting B 45 (0)
2019– Sporting Gijón 9 (0)
2021–2022 → AEK Larnaca (loan) 14 (0)
2022–2023 → Celta B (loan) 24 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 June 2024

Christian Joel Sánchez Leal (born 9 July 1999) is a Cuban professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Spanish Segunda División club Sporting de Gijón.

Club career

Born in Havana, Christian Joel moved to Spain at early age and joined Sporting de Gijón's youth setup at the age of 12.[1] On 20 August 2017, he made his senior debut with the reserves by starting in a 1–0 Segunda División B home defeat of SD Gernika Club.

Christian Joel renewed his contract until 2021 on 25 January 2018,[2] but spent the campaign as a backup to Dani Martín. He made his first team debut on 8 June of the following year, starting in a 1–0 home win against Cádiz CF in the Segunda División championship.[3]

On 27 August 2021, Christian Joel extended his contract until 2026, and was loaned to Cypriot First Division side AEK Larnaca FC for one year.[4] On 19 August of the following year, he moved to Celta de Vigo B also in a temporary one-year deal.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Christian Joel Sánchez, portero cubano del Sporting de Gijón: "Me encantaría representar a mi país"" [Christian Joel Sánchez, Cuban goalkeeper of Sporting de Gijón: "I would love to play for my country"] (in Spanish). Cuba Debate. 28 April 2018. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Christian Joel prolonga su compromiso con el Sporting" [Christian Joel extends his link with Sporting] (in Spanish). Sporting Gijón. 25 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  3. ^ "El Cádiz desiste en El Molinón" [Cádiz give up at the El Molinón] (in Spanish). Marca. 8 June 2019. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Christian Joel, cedido al AEK Larnaca" [Christian Joel, loaned to AEK Larnaca] (in Spanish). Sporting Gijón. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Christian Joel, cedido al RC Celta B" [Christian Joel, loaned to RC Celta B] (in Spanish). Sporting Gijón. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.[permanent dead link‍]