Diego Orejuela

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Orejuela and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.

Diego Orejuela
Personal information
Full name Diego Orejuela Rodríguez
Date of birth (1962-01-20)20 January 1962
Place of birth La Luisiana, Spain
Date of death 20 June 2024(2024-06-20) (aged 62)
Place of death Barcelona, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Español
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1991 Español 245 (14)
1979–1980 → Figueres (loan) 29 (8)
1980–1981 → Sabadell (loan) 16 (1)
1981–1982 → Figueres (loan)
1982 → Lleida (loan) 5 (0)
1991–1993 Palamós 66 (7)
International career
1978 Spain U18 3 (0)
1984 Spain U21 1 (0)
1984 Spain amateur 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Diego Orejuela Rodríguez (20 January 1962 – 20 June 2024) was a Spanish professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Career

Born in La Luisiana, Province of Seville, Orejuela made his professional debut with RCD Español, being an undisputed starter since age 21 after serving four loans in the lower leagues, all in Catalonia, and remaining as such for the following six years. He scored three goals in the Pericos' 1987–88 runner-up campaign in the UEFA Cup, having also captained the team for a number of years.

After a last weak season in La Liga – just 12 games, only two complete – Orejuela retired also in the area in 1993, playing two years with Español neighbours Palamós CF in the second division.

Personal life

Orejuela's older brother, Jesús, was also a professional footballer. A striker, he represented in the top level Espanyol (coinciding with Diego from 1982 to 1984), CA Osasuna and Real Zaragoza.[1]

Their cousin, Antonio, also played the sport. A midfielder, he appeared mainly for RCD Mallorca and Atlético Madrid.

Orejuela died in Barcelona on 20 June 2024, at the age of 62.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Orejuela, Jesús Orejuela Rodríguez - Footballer | BDFutbol". www.bdfutbol.com. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  2. ^ Muere a los 62 años el histórico capitán del Espanyol Diego Orejuela (in Spanish)