Vicente Iborra: Five Facts
The midfield enforcer penned a four-year deal with the Foxes on Thursday and became the Club’s second summer signing following the addition of Harry Maguire.
From a historic hat-trick to a brief spell in goal, here’s five facts about Vicente Iborra…
Iborra’s debut
The central midfielder made his professional debut in January 2008, playing 90 minutes during a Copa Del Rey tie at Getafe – a 3-0 defeat in the round of 16. Getafe eventually went on to finish runners-up.
Spanish Foxes
Iborra will become the third Spaniard to play for Leicester City at senior level. Ignasi Miquel made 14 appearances for the Foxes while on loan from Arsenal in 2013/14 and Luis Hernandez played eight times in all competitions before moving to Malaga last term. Meanwhile, Madrid-born Development Squad striker Raul Uche lined up alongside Hernandez in the Checkatrade Trophy last season.
Three in a row
The 29-year-old was part of an unprecedented era of success at Sevilla, helping them lift the UEFA Europa League on three consecutive occasions. He featured throughout the group stages, as well in two of the three finals as a substitute.
Hat-trick hero
With the scoreline all-square at 0-0, Iborra was introduced at half-time by Jorge Sampaoli against Celta Vigo in December 2016. He netted a second-half treble to become, at the time, only the third man in La Liga history to come off the bench to score a hat-trick.
Makeshift goalkeeper
While he has the ability to operate in both a defensive and attacking midfield role, Iborra has previously had to play in goal. In September 2016, he filled in for Salvatore Sirigu late on after the Italian had been sent off, but could not prevent an eventual 3-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao.