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The fascinating rise of Borja García (4th October, 2017)

It was the end of the 2009-10 season. They had topped their group - by 11 points, no less - but that was not enough. They had to play L'Hospitalet over two legs, they were at the Municipal Feixa Llarga and 1-0 down, with only seconds to go.

A free kick from the halfway line results in a corner on the left hand side. Confusion in the box. Calls for a penalty while the Rayo player run to take another corner from the other side of the pitch.

Step forward, Borja García.

The goalkeeper misses the cross, and it's an easy tap in - Sandoval's team are up into the Segunda B. In the 97th minute, Rayo B had made it.



Born in Torremocha de Jarama, in Madrid, García joined local Rayo Vallecano at the age of 16 from SR Villaverde, finishing his formation there. On 20 June 2009, whilst still a junior, he made his debut as a professional, playing 11 minutes in a 2–2 home draw against Real Zaragoza for the Segunda División championship. In the 2009-10 season, he was a key figure for the reserves as they reached the Segunda B for the first time ever. His impressive performances even earned him a call up to the U-19 National Team's Euro 2008 campaign.

In the 2010-11 season he joined the first team and rotated constantly in midfield - the 20-year-old became once again instrumental in another promotion, this time to La Liga.

For 2011–12, García stayed in the second level, joining Córdoba. He scored 19 goals in 44 official games during his only campaign with the Andalusians, ranking fifth in the scoring charts.

In the 2012 summer, García joined another side in the second division, Real Madrid Castilla, and scored nine goals in his first season there. However, second season syndrome set in, and he moved back to the Blanquiverdes on a season loan, who were now in La Liga. At the age of just 23, he made his La Liga debut, playing the second half of a 1-1 home draw against Celta de Vigo.

In the summer of 2015, he joined Girona in the Segunda, and became instrumental once again in another promotion, scoring seven goals in the 2016-17 season.

He is now a regular starter for La Liga side, and the midfielder has a long future ahead of him. He has the vision and technical ability of a midfielder and the speed and finishing of a striker, which is why he often plays on the wing.

The future looks bright for the Rayista.

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