Willy Ledesma

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ledesma and the second or maternal family name is Galán.
Willy
Willy with Extremadura in 2019
Personal information
Full name Luis Alfonso Ledesma Gallán
Date of birth (1989-01-23) 23 January 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Torremejía, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Lugo
Number 7
Youth career
CF Extremadura
2008 Rayo Vallecano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 CF Extremadura 4 (0)
2008–2009 Rayo Vallecano B
2009–2011 Betis C 78 (24)
2010 Betis B 1 (0)
2011–2013 Villanovense 69 (15)
2013–2014 Arroyo 15 (1)
2014–2020 Extremadura 171 (73)
2020–2023 Córdoba 91 (35)
2023– Lugo 27 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 April 2024

Luis Alfonso Ledesma Galán (born 23 January 1989), commonly known as Willy, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for CD Lugo.

Club career

Willy was born in Torremejía, Badajoz, Extremadura, and made his senior debut with CF Extremadura on 22 October 2006 at the age of just 17, starting in a 1–0 Segunda División B away win against CD Alcalá. In January 2008 he moved to Rayo Vallecano, initially returning to youth football.[1]

After playing for Rayo's B-team Willy joined Real Betis, representing the latter's C and B-teams. On 5 August 2011, he signed for CF Villanovense in the third division, after impressing on a trial basis.[2]

On 22 June 2013, Willy agreed to a contract with Arroyo CP, still in the third division.[3] Roughly one year later he signed for Extremadura UD in Tercera División,[4] scoring a career-best 29 goals during the 2015–16 campaign as his side achieved promotion to the third division.

Willy subsequently became team captain, and contributed with nine goals in 33 appearances (play-offs included) in 2017–18, as his side achieved a first-ever promotion to Segunda División. On 19 August 2018, aged 29, he made his professional debut by coming on as a second-half substitute for Samu Manchón in a 1–1 away draw against Real Oviedo.[5]

Willy scored his first professional goal on 3 November 2018, netting his team's second in a 2–4 loss at Córdoba CF.[6] On 21 January 2020, he cut ties with the Azulgranas,[7] and signed a 18-month contract with Córdoba CF in the third division two days later.[8]

References

  1. ^ "El Rayo tiene casi atado a Willy, del Extremadura" [Rayo almost have an agreement with Willy, from Extremadura] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Willy se queda en el Villanovense" [Willy stays at Villanovense] (in Spanish). Hoy. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  3. ^ "El Arroyo se refuerza con Willy (Villanovense) y Ezequiel (Linense)" [Arroyo bolster with Willy (Villanovense) and Ezequiel (Linense)] (in Spanish). El Periódico de Extremadura. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Willy Ledesma regresa al Francisco de la Hera" [Willy Ledesma returns to Francisco de la Hera] (in Spanish). Hoy. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Álex Barrera saca oro del Tartiere para el Extremadura" [Álex Barrera takes gold from the Tartiere for Extremadura] (in Spanish). Marca. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. ^ "El Córdoba es sólo para creyentes" [Córdoba is only for believers] (in Spanish). Marca. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  7. ^ "¡Gracias, capitán!" [Thank you, captain!] (in Spanish). Extremadura UD. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Willy, nuevo jugador del Córdoba CF" [Willy, new player of Córdoba CF] (in Spanish). Córdoba CF. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.