Javier Puado named LaLiga SmartBank Player of the Month for April

Javier Puado has secured the LaLiga SmartBank Player of the Month award for April. The Barcelona-born frontman produced some stellar performances and was an influential figure in the final third as the Pericos ended the month undefeated.

The striker has been in lethal form in April, bagging three goals, all of which came in the Matchday 36 meeting with UD Las Palmas in which Vicente Moreno’s eased to a 4-0 win.

His triple was the Catalan’s maiden career hat-trick and was the quickest treble to have been scored in LaLiga SmartBank so far this term, with just 14 minutes between the first and third goals. Puado’s exploits also saw him write his name into the club’s record books after notching the second-earliest treble in a game, with his trio of goals coming inside the opening 23 minutes.

In addition to his form in front of goal, he has been instrumental to RCD Espanyol’s title bid and was a constant menace to opposition defences during a crucial month in which the Barcelona-based outfit continued to put points on the board in the race to seal a return to LaLiga Santander.

Puado got the better of a number of other worthy candidates in the voting, including Girona FC sharpshooter Cristhian Stuani and RCD Mallorca midfield ace Salva Sevilla.