Alberto Vitoria Soria (11 January 1956 – 26 April 2010) was a Spanish professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Alberto Vitoria
Personal information
Full name Alberto Vitoria Soria
Date of birth (1956-01-11)11 January 1956
Place of birth Ágreda, Spain
Date of death 26 April 2010(2010-04-26) (aged 54)
Place of death Zaragoza, Spain
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7+12 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1970–1972 Real Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1974 Castilla
1974–1979 Real Madrid 57 (1)
1979–1981 Burgos 55 (6)
1981–1984 Granada 101 (28)
1984–1985 Rayo Vallecano 27 (6)
Total 240 (41)
International career
1972–1974 Spain U18 8 (1)
1977 Spain U21 2 (0)
1976 Spain amateur 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Vitoria was born in Ágreda, Province of Soria, Castile and León, being the sixth of seven children.[1] He spent nine years with Real Madrid all categories comprised, playing five seasons with the first team; he made his La Liga debut on 7 September 1974 at the age of 18, playing 52 minutes in a 2–1 away win against Valencia CF.[2]

Vitoria received little playing time, however, during his senior spell at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, his best output being 20 games and one goal in the 1976–77 campaign, precisely when the club did not win any major trophies. On 27 February 1977 he became the first player from his native region to score in the top division, in a 4–2 home victory over Real Zaragoza.[1]

Leaving Real Madrid in summer 1979 after appearing in 88 competitive matches, Vitoria signed for Burgos CF, being relegated from the top flight in his first year. He then spent three seasons with Granada CF (two in Segunda División B, one in Segunda División), retiring in June 1985 at the age of 29 with Rayo Vallecano, which he helped promote to the second level.

International career

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Vitoria represented Spain at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, appearing in two group stage losses (the only games the national team played in the tournament after Nigeria withdrew).

Death

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Vitoria died on 26 April 2010 in Zaragoza, Aragon, due to heart failure. He was 54 years old.[3][4]

Honours

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Real Madrid[4]

References

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