Diego Rivas

Diego Rivas is a Spanish former soccer player born in Ciudad Real on April 27, 1980. He played as a midfielder and his last team was Club Deportivo Manchego of the Third Division in the 2017-2018 season. Since 2018 he has held the position of general secretary of the Spanish Footballers Association.

Career

He began his football career in his neighborhood team in Ciudad Real, Los Angeles. His first professional team was Amorós, integrated into the structure of the Atlético de Madrid youth team.

After a short-lived spell in the first team, in which he made his debut on September 20, 2003 in the match Atlético Madrid 0 Valencia 3, it was at Getafe where he truly established himself as a professional player.

Stage at Real Sociedad (2006-2011)

In July 2006 he was transferred to Real Sociedad, with José Mari Bakero being the main supporter of his signing. He debuted on August 27, 2006 in the match Athletic Club 1 Real Sociedad 1. For the 2007-2008 season he was loaned to Cádiz CF.

After finishing his loan, he returned to San Sebastián in July 2008. Juanma Lillo during the 2008-09 season and Martín Lasarte in the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 seasons had Rivas as the starting defensive pivot in the realistic midfield.. In the 2009-2010 season the team managed to promote again to the First Division.

Hercules of Alicante CF

After 5 seasons, in May 2011 his contract with Real Sociedad came to an end and he left the Guipuzcoan club. On June 30, 2011, Hércules confirmed the signing of Diego for two seasons with the option of a third.

Eibar Sports Society

On August 9, 2013, the midfielder's incorporation for one season with the armored team was made official. During the previous campaign, with Hércules, he also had an outstanding participation and played 26 games.

EU Llagostera

After spending a season at Eibar he signed for UE Llagostera for one season.

Yugo Socuéllamos

After his time at Llagostera, in the summer of 2015 he signed for Yugo Socuéllamos of 2nd Division B.

CD Manchego Ciudad Real

In the summer of 2016 he was signed by Club Deportivo Manchego, the team from Ciudad Real, his hometown. In November 2017 he announced that 2017-18 would be his last season as a footballer. He played his last game on May 6, 2018, receiving a tribute from the club.

Political career

In the 2015 municipal elections in Spain, Rivas was part of the list of the Popular Party of Ciudad Real. After the Popular Party won the elections, Rivas became the sports councilor of the city of La Mancha. In November 2017 he announced that he was leaving the city council to join the AFE.

General Secretary of the AFE

In June 2018 he was appointed general secretary of the Spanish Footballers Association, replacing Jesús Díaz Peramos.

Clubs

Statistics