Alexis Sanchez's profile

Source:fc.barcelona.com 

Alexis Sánchez became a Barça player on July 21, 2011 after the Catalans and Udinese agreed terms for his transfer. The Chilean joins the club at the age of 22 years, and is the first new arrival of 2011/2012.

Born on December 19, 1988 in the city of Tocopilla (Chile) Alexis Sánchez’s career started at the age of 15 when he signed for local outfit Cobreloa. He made his professional debut aged just 16 years on February 12, 2005. In his first year he made 38 appearances and scored 3 goals. In July 2006, Cobreloa sold Alexis to Udinese, who immediately loaned him out to one of the top sides in Chile, Colo-Colo. He played 48 games there and scored nine goals. In the 2007-08 season, Udinese loaned him again, this time to River Plate in Argentina. He was only at the ‘millionaires’ for a season, but impressed considerably in his 31 appearances.

So, in the 2008/09 season, Udinese decided to add him to their squad at the tender age of 19. It took him a few months to adapt to life in Europe, but the Italians soon realised that they had made the right choice. He played 43 league, cup and European games and scored 3 goals. The 2009/2010 season was even better, in which he was given more chances, playing 36 games and scoring six goals.

It was in the 2010/2011 season that he really exploded. He was amazing in the Calcio and was named player of the year in Serie A. He played a total of 33 games, 31 in the league, and scored more goals than ever in a season, twelve. He also supplied a host of assists and attracted the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Eventually, following a long negotiation process, he signed for Barça.


PROFILE

He can play anywhere in attack, although he prefers the right, and speed is his greatest weapon. He is amazing at breaking free of his marker, providing crosses and finding space in which to receive through balls and shoot on goal. He is an opportunistic player, and a proven goalscorer. He is extraordinarily fit and although he is essentially a striker, he is often seen putting pressure on the opposing defence and is aware of the importance of recovering any lost balls.
HONOURS
FC Barcelona 2011/12 European Super Cup
2011/12 Spanish Super Cup

River Plate 2008 Torneo Apertura

Colo-Colo 2007 Apertura
2006 Clausura

Individual titles 2011 Serie A player of the year

CAREER
2011-12 FC Barcelona
2010/11 Udinese
2009/10 Udinese
2008/09 Udinese
2007/08 River Plate
2007 Colo-Colo
2006 Cobreloa / Colo-Colo
2005 Cobreloa