Fran Merida

Profile

A creative, highly technical central or left-sided midfielder, Fran has made a huge impact following his arrival at Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer of 2006. In his first season the young Spaniard made 33 appearances, scoring nine times in the Academy and Reserves.

He was called upon by Spain for the Uefa Under-17 Championship in May 2007, where he played a key role in the Iberians' triumph, creating the only goal in the Final against the Three Lions.

He returned to England to make his first team debut in the home Carling Cup win over Newcastle, and in January he was sent on loan to Real Sociedad in Spain. He helped Sociedad maintain a promotion push until the end of the campaign.

In April 2008 Fran signed a contract extension at Arsenal, and at the end of the Uefa Under-19 Championships in July 2008 Fran was named in the tournament's Top Ten stars for the future.

Bio

Full Name

Fran Merida

Position

Attacking Midfielder

Born

May 4, 1990

Country

SPAIN