Javier García Portillo (born 30 March 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward.
He started out at Real Madrid and appeared in 59 competitive games during his tenure, scoring 17 goals. In La Liga, he also played for Gimnàstic, Osasuna and Hércules for a total of 131 matches and 21 goals, and also competed professionally in Italy and Belgium.[2]
In a 14-year senior career, Portillo represented Hércules in all three major levels of Spanish football.
Club career
Portillo was born in Aranjuez, Community of Madrid. In 1994, aged 12, he entered Real Madrid's youth system. Over seven seasons he was a prolific scorer, netting 370 goals and breaking a record previously held by Raúl.[3] In August 2002 he signed his first professional contract, running until 2006 with a buyout clause of €15 million.[4]
After a successful individual season (12 goals in all competitions, although the Catalans were relegated from the top flight),[10] in July 2007 Portillo replaced at Osasuna Roberto Soldado, who returned from loan to Real Madrid.[11] He was used irregularly in his first two years, and only netted three times in the league.
In late December 2009, Portillo – who was only fourth or fifth-choice striker for Osasuna coach José Antonio Camacho[12]– finally moved clubs, signing until the end of the season plus two more with Segunda División's Hércules CF. After some time to adjust he finished in the starting XI, netting vital goals in the final stretch, including one in the last round for a 2–0 victory at Real Unión as the Alicante side returned to the first division after 13 years.[13]
Portillo returned to reserve status in 2010–11, after Hércules signed David Trezeguet and Nelson Valdez in the off-season.[14] He only started through injury or suspension to the pair, and scored just twice in official matches, one coming in a 3–1 away defeat of Real Sociedad on 3 April 2011,[15] with Hércules being immediately relegated.
On 2 August 2011, Portillo signed for three years with UD Las Palmas in the second tier.[16] For the 2012–13 season, however, he moved teams again, returning to Hércules on a three-year deal.[17]
In late December 2015, Portillo announced his retirement at the age of 33.[18] Subsequently, he worked as his last club's director of football.[19]
International career
Making his debut in 2002 – shortly after his arrival at the Real Madrid senior setup – Portillo played ten times for Spain under-21s, and scored five goals.[20][21][22]
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[23][24]