Sebastián Saja
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Sebástian Saja | ||
| Date of birth | 5 June 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | La Plata, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Gimnàstic | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2008 | San Lorenzo | 145 | (11) |
| 2003 | → Brescia (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Rayo Vallecano (loan) | 20 | (0) |
| 2004 | → Club América (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 2005 | → Córdoba (loan) | 23 | (0) |
| 2007 | → Grêmio (loan) | 30 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | AEK Athens | 89 | (0) |
| 2011–2016 | Racing Club | 169 | (7) |
| 2016– | Gimnàstic | 10 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1997–1999 | Argentina U20 | 24 | (0) |
| 2002–2003 | Argentina | 4 | (0) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 November 2016. | |||
Diego Sebastián Saja (born 5 June 1979) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Spanish club Gimnàstic de Tarragona as a goalkeeper.
He spent most of his professional career with San Lorenzo, Racing Club and AEK Athens, being one of the most prolific goalscoring goalkeepers in history.
Club career
San Lorenzo
Born in La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Saja had nearly 200 overall appearances for San Lorenzo de Almagro, being voted South America's best goalkeeper in 2002. In 2001 he helped the team win the Clausura and the Copa Mercosur, adding the following year's Copa Sudamericana.
Saja split the 2003–04 season with Brescia Calcio and Rayo Vallecano, being first-choice and dropping down a level with the latter. Moving to another club in Spain and in the second division for the following campaign, he would also be relegated with Córdoba CF.
After a brief spell in Mexico with Club América, Saja returned to San Lorenzo for 2005–06: he made 33 appearances and scored five goals in the Primera División, but was eventually sent out on loan for the fifth time, this time to Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense after falling out of favour with new manager Ramón Díaz.
AEK
Released in 2008, Saja signed a three-year contract with AEK Athens FC, earning approximately €400.000. He appeared in 29 games in his first year to help his team finish fourth in the Superleague, but it was also quickly eliminated from UEFA Cup contention.[1]
On 31 May 2009, Saja agreed to a new three-year deal with the Greek side,[2] continuing to be first-choice and winning the 2011 edition of the Greek Cup.
Return to Argentina
On 29 June 2011, Saja and AEK agreed to terminate his contract one year before it expired.[3] Shortly after, the 32-year-old returned to his homeland and joined Racing Club de Avellaneda,[4] netting his first goal for his new team on 29 September of the following year, through a penalty against former club San Lorenzo in a 4–0 win; he was also the goalkeeper with the least goals conceded in the 2011 Apertura, breaking a club record for a short tournament held by Carlos Roa since 1992.[5]
On 10 June 2013, again from the penalty spot, Saja scored against Boca Juniors (2–0 home triumph).
Gimnàstic
On 16 August 2016, free agent Saja signed a one-year deal with Gimnàstic de Tarragona, returning to Spain and its second tier after 11 years.[6]
International career
Saja gained four caps for Argentina, making his debut against Wales on 13 February 2002 (1–1 in Cardiff).[7]
In the following year he appeared in a further three friendlies, with Honduras (3–1), Mexico (1–0) and the United States (1–0).[8]
Honours
Club
- San Lorenzo
- Grêmio
- Campeonato Gaúcho: 2007
- AEK
- Racing Club
Individual
- South American Goalkeeper of the Year: 2002
- Copa Libertadores: Best goalkeeper 2007
References
- ↑ Omonia keep the party going in Nicosia; UEFA.com, 28 August 2008
- ↑ Saja signs new deal; AEK Athens, 31 May 2009 (Greek)
- ↑ Βελούδινο διαζύγιο ΑΕΚ – Σάχα; Tovima, 29 June 2011 (Greek)
- ↑ Chino de Avellaneda (Avellaneda's Chino); Olé (Spanish)
- ↑ Premio para el mejor (Award to the best); Olé (Spanish)
- ↑ Saja, nou fitxatge per a la porteria del Nàstic (Saja, new signing for Nàstic's goal); Gimnàstic Tarragona, 16 August 2016 (Catalan)
- ↑ 2002 Matches; at RSSSF
- ↑ International Friendly Matches 2003; at RSSSF
External links
- Argentine League statistics (Spanish)
- Sebastián Saja profile at BDFutbol
- Sebastián Saja at National-Football-Teams.com
- Sebastián Saja profile at Soccerway
- Stats at Footballdatabase
- Official website (Spanish)