Luis García (footballer, born 1978)

Luis Javier García Sanz (born June 24 1978 in Badalona, known commonly as Luis García), is a Spanish football player. He currently plays for Liverpool F.C. and wears the number 10 jersey. His favourite form of celebration is sucking his thumb, to commemorate his first-born son, Joel.

Previously, Luis García played for FC Barcelona, Tenerife and Real Valladolid, in La Liga. Normally, Luis García is employed in the "hole" position behind the striker and in front of the midfielders. He quickly earned a reputation in England as a player of remarkable skils, but this talent was qualified by his tendency to lose the ball in dangerous positions. His ability to kick confidently with both feet makes him an extremely versatile attacker, deployable on both flanks, as well as behind strikers. Despite his small frame, he has also shown a great ability to head the ball, with some of his most impressive goals coming in the air.

Luis García was signed by Rafael Benitez for Liverpool in August 2004 for a fee of £6 million (Benitez coached him when they were at Tenerife together). He made his Premiership debut against Bolton Wanderers on 29 August 2004, a game that Liverpool lost 1-0. Luis García hit the net in the game, but the goal was dubiously ruled out for offside.

Against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on 11 September 2004, Luis García scored his first goal for Liverpool. He has also been capped for Spain.

His most famous goals include the winning goals against Juventus and Chelsea, in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, of the Champions League in 2005. He took part in Liverpool's Champions league final victory over A.C. Milan on 25 May 2005.

With 13 goals in all competitions, it would be seen as a very encouraging first season in English football for the Spaniard.

He is also advertising H&M mens suits and Umbro football boots.

He is married to Raquel, and has a young son Joel - who he dedicates his goal scoring celebration to. (The sucking of his thumb)

On the 12th November 2005 he scored a hat-trick for Spain during their 5-1 World Cup play-off victory over Slovakia.

Honours

• 2004/05 UEFA Champions League
• 2005/06 European Super Cup