FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.08.2009 22:50

Albert Jorquera signs for Girona CF

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FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Albert Jorquera have agreed to cancel the player’s contract, which was due to expire on 30th June 2010. Jorquera has signed for Second Division A side Girona CF.

Albert Jorquera, who did not train with the rest of the squad on Tuesday afternoon, will play this season for Girona CF in Second Division A. However, FC Barcelona have reserved the right to recall the keeper if needed.

A life with Barça

Albert Jorquera is leaving Barça after fifteen years with the Club, six in the senior squad and nine in the youth sections. An excellent substitute for Víctor Valdés, his final one and a half seasons were marked by a serious injury.

Jorquera was born in Bescanó (Girona) on 3rd March 1979 and joined the Barça youth academy on 2nd November 1994 from Vilobí d'Onyar. He spent two seasons with the “juvenile” side (1996/98) before moving up to Barça C (1998/ 99) and then the reserves (1999/00).

At the end of his first season with the reserves, Jorquera spent two seasons on loan, firstly with Ceuta (2000/01) and then Mataró (2001/02), both in Second Division B. He then returned to Barça, becoming first choice keeper for Barça B.

He made his first team debut in the 2003/04 season on 17th January 2004 against Athletic Club Bilbao (1-1), with Víctor Valdés and Rustu Recber both unavailable to manager Frank Rijkaard. He made such a good impression that he remained as part of the senior squad as number 2 keeper.

In the shadow of Valdés

The consistently good performances turned in by Víctor Valdés have limited Jorquera’s first team appearances to just 24 competitive matches - 7 in the league, 13 in the Cup, 3 in the Champions League and 1 in the Spanish Super Cup - during his five seasons with the senior squad. In these 24 games, Albert Jorquera conceded 26 goals, an average of 1.18 goals per match.