One to Watch – David López

Name: David López Moreno

Date of Birth: 10/9/1982

Nationality: Spain

Former Clubs: Osasuna, Athletico Bilbao

League Appearances (Goals): 312 (39)

International Appearances (Goals): 0 (0)

Stat of the Day: David López has made a total of 183 passes this season, an average of 30.5 per game

Player Profile: With Brighton having to make do without their key player, Leonardo Ulloa, for the next three games, others members of the Brighton squad will have to step up and provide the threat the Argentinean managed to offer in previous games. David López, Brighton`s Spanish midfielder and David Schneider lookalike, will supply Oscar Garcia`s new look side with paramount composure and given the time and space could unlock QPR`s resolute defence with his canny creativity. Still potentially lacking full match fitness, López has yet to step up to the heights he reached last season in the Seagull`s successful campaign but the Brighton fans are expecting the midfielder to improve vastly sooner rather than later.

The Spaniard endured a slow start to his career at Brighton with many questioning what he brought to the side; however, he soon realised his potential in the English league and managed to help his side to the playoffs in his debut season in England. Having been dubbed the ‘Spanish Dave` by Brighton fans, the midfielder`s penchant for supplying quality set-piece deliveries and penalty kicks will provide his side with a threat from dead-ball situations and could provide QPR with plenty of problems should he be at his best on Wednesday.

Player History:

David López Moreno was born in Northern Spain and started his career at La Liga side Osasuna. He made his way through the youth ranks at the club and having appeared frequently for the B side for three years, making 81 appearances and scoring 7 goals, he made his first team debut in 2004 in a 3-2 victory over Albacete Balompie. He finished his first season with one goal in 13 games.

The following season López was an undisputed starter as the Navarrese outfit achieved a first ever qualification to the UEFA Champions League, with the midfielder contributing six goals, including a crucial one in the last game of the season in a 2-1 home success against Valencia. As Osasuna failed to reach the group stages of the Champions League, López appeared in 11 matches in the club’s UEFA Cup semi-final run, netting in 3-0 away successes against Parma FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

In the summer of 2007 López signed for near neighbours Athletico Bilbao for a fee believed to be around £6 million, having made 78 first team appearances for Osasuna. He became an instant hit at the Basque as he helped them to narrowly avoid relegation in 2009 and finished with a career best 6 goals in 28 appearances in the 2010/2011 season. Having made 118 appearances, netting 12 times, for Bilbao he ultimately became a fringe player after the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa as manager.

After his contract with Bilbao was terminated by mutual consent in 2012 he signed a one year deal at Brighton & Hove Albion. He had a successful debut season at the Championship side and despite enduring playoff heartbreak he signed a contract extension at the beginning of this season.

Follow me on twitter @harrod11