Dídac Vilà Rosselló (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈdiðəɡ biˈla];[a] born 9 June 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back.

Dídac Vilà
Vilà before a game with Spain U21 in 2011
Personal information
Full name Dídac Vilà Rosselló[1]
Date of birth (1989-06-09) 9 June 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Mataró, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Left-back
Youth career
1998–1999 Mataró
1999–2008 Espanyol
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Espanyol B 40 (3)
2009–2011 Espanyol 24 (0)
2011–2015 AC Milan 1 (0)
2011–2012Espanyol (loan) 37 (2)
2013–2014Betis (loan) 12 (0)
2014–2015Eibar (loan) 15 (0)
2015–2017 AEK Athens 58 (3)
2017–2022 Espanyol 99 (0)
International career
2008 Spain U19 2 (0)
2009 Spain U20 6 (0)
2011 Spain U21 8 (0)
2012 Spain U23 1 (0)
2011– Catalonia 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:53, 1 July 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2019

Club career

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Espanyol

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Born in Mataró, Barcelona, Catalonia,[2] Vilà joined local RCD Espanyol's youth system at the age of 10, making his senior debut in 2008–09 and helping the reserves promote from the Tercera División, as champions.[3][4] He was promoted to the first team by manager Mauricio Pochettino, making his La Liga debut on 30 January 2010 in a 1–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao (which, in his own words, came as a "surprise")[5][6] and ending his first professional season with 11 league games, starting and playing all the minutes in every match as the Pericos finished in mid-table. Previously, he appeared with the main squad in the 2008 final of the Copa Catalunya, lost 2–1 to UE Sant Andreu,[7] and signed a five-year contract with the club shortly after.[8]

After missing the first months of the 2010–11 campaign due to physical problems,[9][10] Vilà once again gained first-choice status, taking over longtime incumbent – and fellow youth graduate – David García.

AC Milan

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On 28 January 2011, Vilà was bought by AC Milan in Serie A for a reported €3 million.[11][12] After only one official appearance for the Italians (the 0–0 draw away to Udinese Calcio),[13] and subsequently being highly critical of coach Massimiliano Allegri,[14] he returned to Espanyol in early June 2011 in a season-long loan.[15] He only missed one match during the league campaign,[16] scoring twice but in as many away losses.[17][18]

Vilà was set to join Valencia CF on loan at the beginning of 2012–13 with the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season,[19][20] but the deal fell apart as he did not pass the required medical exams.[21][22] Subsequently, the player underwent surgery,[23][24] failing to play in a competitive match for the Rossoneri.

For the 2013–14 campaign, Vilà moved to Real Betis on loan,[25] again being bothered by physical problems – including a leg fracture.[26] After the Andalusians' relegation he subsequently returned to Milan, and joined SD Eibar on 26 August 2014 also in a temporary deal.[27] After fully recovering he suffered a thigh injury,[28] going on to feature in 16 games in all competitions.

AEK Athens

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On 7 August 2015, AEK Athens F.C. announced the signing of Vilà on a three-year deal,[29] with the player stating he hoped this move would see him return to his old form.[30] He played understudy to Aristidis Soiledis during the first part of the season[31] but eventually became the starter, impressing manager Gus Poyet for his professionalism in training.[32]

Vilà started 2016–17's domestic league with a goal, contributing to a 4–1 home victory over Xanthi FC.[33]

Espanyol return

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On 30 August 2017, Vilà returned to his first club Espanyol after agreeing to a three-year deal, with a €25 million buy-out clause.[34][35]

International career

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In 2011, Vilà received his first Spain under-21 call-up. That year, he was selected by manager Luis Milla to the UEFA European Championship in Denmark, playing all the matches and minutes for the eventual champions.[36]

Career statistics

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As of 1 July 2021[37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Espanyol B 2008–09 Tercera División 30 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 33 3
2009–10 Segunda Division 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 40 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 43 3
Espanyol 2008–09 La Liga 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2009–10 La Liga 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2010–11 La Liga 13 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
Total 24 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 28 0
AC Milan 2010–11 Serie A 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13 Serie A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Espanyol (loan) 2011–12 La Liga 37 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 40 3
Betis (loan) 2013–14 La Liga 12 0 2 0 0 0 6 1 20 1
Eibar (loan) 2014–15 La Liga 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
AEK Athens 2015–16 Super League Greece 26 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 31 0
2016–17 Super League Greece 32 3 8 0 0 0 2 0 42 3
Total 58 3 13 0 0 0 2 0 73 3
Espanyol 2017–18 La Liga 14 0 6 0 20 0
2018–19 La Liga 27 0 2 0 29 0
2019–20 La Liga 30 0 0 0 11 1 41 1
2020–21 Segunda División 19 0 3 0 22 0
Total 90 0 11 0 0 0 11 1 112 1
Career total 277 8 35 1 0 0 19 2 331 11

Honours

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Espanyol B

AC Milan

AEK Athens

Espanyol

Spain U21

Spain U20

Notes

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  1. ^ In isolation, Dídac is pronounced [ˈdiðək].

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Dídac". Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  2. ^ Soriano Fiérrez, Aida (22 February 2008). "Dídac Vila: "La Selección Española es el premio al gran esfuerzo y al trabajo"" [Dídac Vila: "The Spain national team is the reward to great effort and work"] (in Spanish). Capgròs. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  3. ^ "El Espanyol B ya es campeón de Tercera" [Espanyol B are already Tercera champions]. Sport (in Spanish). 4 May 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Gimnástica y Espanyol B son ya equipos de Segunda B" [Gimnástica and Espanyol B are already Segunda B teams]. Marca (in Spanish). 31 May 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Garcia makes the difference". ESPN Soccernet. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Dídac Vilà: "No me esperaba debutar"" [Dídac Vilà: "I did not expect to make debut"]. Marca (in Spanish). 31 January 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  7. ^ "El Sant Andreu deja al Espanyol sin Copa Cataluña" [Sant Andreu leave Espanyol without Catalonia Cup]. Marca (in Spanish). 8 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ^ "El canterano Dídac Vila renueva por cinco temporadas" [Youth system player Dídac Vila renews for five seasons]. Marca (in Spanish). 9 October 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  9. ^ "El defensa Dídac Vilà, operado de una hernia abdominal" [Defender Dídac Vilà, surgery for abdominal hernia]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 25 May 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Galán ha sido operado con éxito de su fractura del peroné derecho" [Successful right fibula surgery for Galán]. Marca (in Spanish). 5 October 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Dídac Vila, sold to AC Milan". RCD Espanyol. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Milan: accordo per Didac Vilà" [Milan: agreement for Didac Vilà] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  13. ^ De Stefano, Gaetano (22 May 2011). "Udine, festa Champions – Basta lo 0–0 con il Milan" [Udine, Champions party – 0–0 with Milan is enough]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  14. ^ "Milan, Didac Vilà:- 'Ce l'ho con Allegri'" [Milan, Didac Vilà:- 'I got it with Allegri'] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  15. ^ Torres, María Carmen (8 June 2011). "El Espanyol oficializa el acuerdo con el Milan por Dídac" [Espanyol make agreement with Milan for Dídac official]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  16. ^ "Cata Díaz, único en jugar todos los minutos de Liga" [Cata Díaz, only one to play every League minute]. Marca (in Spanish). 18 February 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  17. ^ "Arda the artist in Atleti victory". ESPN Soccernet. 22 April 2012. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  18. ^ "Ighalo brace boosts Granada". ESPN Soccernet. 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Valencia sign Dídac on loan from Milan". ESPN Star Sports. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  20. ^ "Comunicado oficial" [Official announcement] (in Spanish). Valencia CF. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  21. ^ "Dídac: A.C. Milan comunicato ufficiale" [Dídac: A.C. Milan official announcement] (in Italian). A.C. Milan. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  22. ^ "Valencia call off Dídac deal". ESPN Soccernet. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Milan: 137 infortuni con Allegri" [Milan: 137 mishaps with Allegri] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  24. ^ "Dídac Vilà: Comunicato ufficiale A.C. Milan" [Dídac Vilà: A.C. Milan official announcement] (in Italian). A.C. Milan. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  25. ^ "El Real Betis incorpora a sus filas a Dídac" [Real Betis add Dídac to their ranks] (in Spanish). Real Betis. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Dídac se pierde la temporada y Caro, baja un mes y medio" [Dídac misses the season and Caro, one and a half months out]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 17 March 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  27. ^ "El Eibar anuncia la cesión por una temporada de Didác Vilá, procedente del Milan" [Eibar announce loan of Didác Vilá for one year, from Milan] (in Spanish). SD Eibar. 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  28. ^ "Dídac pasa por el quirófano" [Dídac visits surgery room]. Marca (in Spanish). 19 November 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  29. ^ "Didac completes AEK move". SDNA. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  30. ^ Sarris, Thanos (8 August 2015). "Ο Ντίντακ της... Εσπανιόλ θα κάνει θραύση!" (in Greek). Gazzetta. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  31. ^ Tsilis, Kostas (28 September 2015). "Ο "κόμβος" της Βέροιας" [Veria's "hub"] (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  32. ^ Tsilis, Kostas (16 November 2015). "Γύρισαν όπως τους ήθελε ο Πογέτ" (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  33. ^ Kaperonis, Sarantos (11 September 2016). "Welcome to AEK Hugo Almeida". Agona Sport. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Dídac Vilà, the seventh signing!". RCD Espanyol. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  35. ^ Tempelis, Vasilis (30 August 2017). "Στην Εσπανιόλ ο Ντίντακ με ρήτρα 25.000.000 ευρώ" [In Espanyol, Dídac with a 25 million euros clause] (in Greek). Sport 24. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  36. ^ a b Gustems, Pol (25 June 2011). "España sub-21, campeona de Europa: El ciclo continúa" [Spain under-21, European champions: The cycle continues] (in Spanish). Diarios de Fútbol. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  37. ^ "Dídac Vilá". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  38. ^ "El Espanyol cae como campeón ante un Alcorcón salvado" [Espanyol fall as champions against saved Alcorcón]. Sport (in Spanish). 30 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  39. ^ "ITA – ESP 1:2 (0:0)" (PDF). Pescara 2009. 4 July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
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