Junior Firpo

No automobiles for this Spanish full-back, just a whole lot of running!

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he emigrated to Benalmádena, Málaga, Andalusia, at the age of six. After nomadic youth career which included spells at Atlético Benamiel, Tiro Pichón and Puerto Mamagueño, he joined La Liga club Real Betis' youth setup in June 2014, aged 18. On 15 February 2015, he made his debut for the reserve team, starting in a 1-1 draw against Granada CF B for the Segunda División B championship. On 17 April 2016, he scored his first goal in a 4-0 demolition of Algeciras CF. During the 2015/16 season he appeared regularly for Real Betis B as the team finished bottom of the division. During his time with Real Betis B, the defender scored 5 goals and registered 7 assist in 43 appearances. The Spaniard made his first-team and La Liga debut on 12 February 2018, as Real Betis fell to a 1-0 defeat to Deportivo de La Coruña, making him the first Dominican Republic born player to feature in a La Liga fixture. On 17 March 2018, the full-back scored his first professional goal in a 3-0 win over RCD Espanyol. His two season spell with Real Betis' first-team yielded 44 appearances and 2 goals. On 4 August 2019, despite his relative inexperience the defender was subject to €18 million bid from FC Barcelona; Real Betis accepted the offer and the Spaniard signed a five-year contract with the Catalan giants. His period in Catalunya didn't work out as planned, and after 2 seasons he moved to the Premier League and joined the forces of Leeds United in a 15 Million Euro deal.