Edu Albacar, Best Defender in Liga Adelante

Elche CF’s left back and captain Edu Albacar has been given the Best Defender award in Liga Adelante for the 2012/13 season, receiving more votes than teammate David Lombán (FC Barcelona B and Elche CF) and Mateo Musacchio (Villlarreal CF).

"It is true that this is an individual award, but it is also recognition for the whole team. We had a great campaign and the results were evident. I scored a lot of goals from dead-ball situations, so it was a good season. I think the team is in a good position in the table this year because it has kept up its performances from last year. Next year I would love to be able to receive the award for the best defender in the Liga BBVA", explained the player.

The 24 year-old Catalan started his career playing for modest local sides CF La Sénia and CD Tortosa, before joining RCD Espanyol’s academy aged 21. With the Barcelona side’s B team he took part in a play-off to earn promotion to Liga Adelante, forming part of a generation of footballers including Gorka Iraizoz, Dani Jarque and Ferrán Corominas.

After two season in Espanyol’s second side, his career changed, and he played for a variety of Segunda División B clubs, before making the step up to Liga Adelante with Hércules CF, Deportivo Alavés and Rayo Vallecano before arriving at Elche in 2010/11.

The 2012/13 season was Albacar’s coming. The skipper, who wasn’t just a charismatic reverence point for the side from Valencia, played a key role on the pitch, playing 38 games, scoring eight times, the majority of which were from dead balls. A season capped off with promotion to Liga BBVA and a deserved award for Best Defender in Liga Adelante.