Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido (born March 1, 1989 in Cancún, Quintana Roo) is a Mexican football player who plays for Osasuna on loan from Arsenal. He predominantly plays as a Striker.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Carlos Alberto Vela Garrido | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker, Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Osasuna | ||
| Number | 21 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of September 12, 2007 | |||
Biography
Carlos Vela is the younger brother of Alejandro Vela, who played for Chivas de Guadalajara, and currently plays for Jaguares, in the Mexican football league. Before moving to Europe, Vela's career started with Guadalajara, alongside his brother. Even though he had not made his debut on Chivas' first division team, his big break came when he participated in the U-17 World Cup with the Mexican national team. Vela helped the Mexican team win the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship against other promising teams, including Brazil. He became a pivotal figure during the match against Brazil, by defeating the South American team 3-0 during the tournament's final. Along the conclusion of the 2005 World Cup in Peru, Vela was named the top scorer of the tournament with 5 goals and claimed the Adidas Golden Boot. Eventually after the World Cup, Jorge Vergara, owner and president of Chivas de Guadalajara, offered to sign him, and as a condition, since the Vela family lived in the then-recently-storm-stricken Cancún, Quintana Roo, Carlos Vela asked that as a condition to his signing with the oldest team in Mexico, the club also help relocate his family. He had also previously showed his great affection to his father, whose birthday fell on the day on which Mexico beat Brazil in the final for the World Cup, by carrying the cup to his father as a birthday present and dedicating his Golden Boot to him.[citation needed]
Europe
Following his showing at the U-17 World Cup, in which he won the Golden Boot and lead his native Mexico to the title, Vela attracted interest from a number of European clubs. It was eventually Arsenal F.C. who came out on top and won the race for his signature in November 2005 for a fee of £2.5 million[2] and he signed a five-year deal. However, due to English work permit restrictions for non-EU citizens which prevented him from playing in England, he was quickly loaned out to Celta de Vigo in February 2006.[1] [2] Vela was then loaned to UD Salamanca, in the Spanish second division, for the 2006-07 season.[3][4] After his loan spell with Salamanca ended with him scoring eight and creating many of their 53 goals,[3] bigger clubs, of La Liga, such as Levante UD, Osasuna and UD Almeria were all interested in taking him on loan from Arsenal for whom he was still ineligible to play as he still had yet to receive a work permit.[4] Eventually, a one year loan move to Osasuna was agreed, with the option of an extension for another year, however, no permanent option had been contemplated.[5][6][7] Vela is expected to qualify for an EU passport in January 2008, at which point he will be eligible for a work permit in England and able to play for Arsenal.[4]
International career
Vela made his full international debut for Mexico in a September 2007 friendly against Brazil, which Brazil won 3-1.
Honours
International
References
- ^ Darren Lewis (2007-07-13). "JOLLY GOOD VELA". The Mirror. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
...scoring eight in 31 appearances himself.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tom Adams (2007-05-29). "Levante looking to land Gunner". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Darren Lewis (2007-07-13). "JOLLY GOOD VELA". The Mirror. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
...setting up around half of their 53 goals last season and scoring eight in 31 appearances himself.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Graeme Bailey (2007-07-18). "Gunners duo linked with loans". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2007-07-20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Template:Es Carlos Vela will play for Osasuna
- ^ Jonathan Symcox (2007-07-20). "Premiership - Wenger denies Anelka interest". Eurosport. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Francisco Acedo (2007-07-21). "Arsenal starlet to join Osasuna". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Arsenal.com profile
- CA Osasuna Official Website
- Official U.D.Salamanca Profile
- FootballDatabase.com Profile