Izan Merino

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Merino and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.
Izan Merino
Personal information
Full name Izan Merino Rodríguez
Date of birth (2006-04-15) 15 April 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Málaga, Spain
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Málaga
Number 29
Youth career
2015–2020 Málaga
2020–2021 San Félix
2021–2023 Málaga
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2024 Málaga B 29 (0)
2023– Málaga 8 (0)
International career
2023 Spain U17 5 (0)
2024– Spain U18 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 November 2024

Izan Merino Rodríguez (born 15 April 2006) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Málaga CF. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also play as a centre-back.[1]

Club career

Born in Málaga, Andalusia, Merino joined Málaga CF's youth setup in 2015, aged nine.[2] He made his senior debut with the reserves on 16 October 2022, starting in a 1–1 Tercera Federación home draw against FC Málaga City.[3]

Merino made his first team debut on 6 December 2023, starting in a 1–0 home win over CD Eldense, for the season's Copa del Rey.[4] He featured in five Primera Federación matches in the remainder of the campaign, as his side achieved promotion to Segunda División.

Merino made his professional debut on 17 August 2024, coming on as a late substitute for Juanpe in a 2–2 away draw against Racing de Ferrol.[5]

International career

Merino represented Spain at under-17[6] and under-18 levels.[7]

References

  1. ^ "¿Ha llegado la hora de Izan Merino en el Málaga?" [Has it come the time of Izan Merino at Málaga?] (in Spanish). Diario Sur. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Izan Merino" (in Spanish). Málaga CF. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Izan Merino debuta con el Atlético Malagueño a los 16 años" [Izan Merino debuts with Atlético Malagueño at the age of 16] (in Spanish). Nuevo Fútbol. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Izan Merino, tras su debut en partido oficial: "Llevo desde pequeño soñando con este momento"" [Izan Merino, after his debut in an official match: "I have been dreaming with this moment since I was a kid"] (in Spanish). Málaga Hoy. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  5. ^ "El Málaga sobrevive al 'huracán' Jauregi" [Málaga survive the 'hurricane' Jauregi] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Izan Merino called up to Spain's Under-17s". Málaga CF. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Izan Merino y Antonio Cordero convocados con la Selección Española Sub-18" [Izan Merino and Antonio Cordero called up with the Spain national under-18 team] (in Spanish). Málaga CF. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2024.