Jonathan Viera
Viera in action for Valencia in 2012
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Viera Ramos[1]
Date of birth (1989-10-21) 21 October 1989 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth Las Palmas, Spain
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Almería
Number 8
Youth career
Atlético Feria
2005–2008 Las Palmas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Las Palmas B 42 (19)
2010–2012 Las Palmas 60 (16)
2012–2014 Valencia 18 (2)
2013–2014 → Rayo Vallecano (loan) 26 (5)
2014–2015 Standard Liège 3 (0)
2015 → Las Palmas (loan) 21 (7)
2015–2018 Las Palmas 90 (21)
2018–2021 Beijing Guoan 65 (23)
2019 → Las Palmas (loan) 13 (10)
2021–2023 Las Palmas 73 (23)
2024– Almería 3 (0)
International career
2011 Spain U21 1 (0)
2017 Spain 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:29, 4 March 2024 (UTC)

Jonathan Viera Ramos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈɟʝonatam ˈbjeɾa ˈramos];[a] born 21 October 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder for La Liga club Almería.

Club career

Las Palmas

Viera playing for Las Palmas in 2011

Born in Las Palmas, Viera finished his youth career with hometown UD Las Palmas, where he earned the nickname Romário.[2] He made his senior debut with the reserve team, appearing in ten Segunda División B games in the 2008–09 season and suffering relegation. On 18 February 2010, he renewed his contract until June 2013.[3]

Viera was definitely promoted to the main squad for 2010–11, as the team competed in the Segunda División.[4] He finished the campaign with 31 matches (26 starts) and six goals, including three in a 5–3 away win against FC Barcelona B on 15 May 2011, which all but certified the Canary Islands side's permanence.[5]

In January 2012, amidst rumours of a transfer – Las Palmas inclusively had everything arranged with Granada CF but the deal eventually fell through – Viera assured he would stay with his club until the end of the season.[6] He finished as the second-best top scorer in the squad at nine, only trailing another youth graduate, Vitolo, by one goal.[7]

Valencia

On 6 May 2012, one month before the Las Palmas season ended, Viera signed with La Liga's Valencia CF for five years and €2.5 million.[8][9] He made his official debut against FC Barcelona, playing 13 minutes of a 1–0 away loss.[10]

Viera scored his first goal in the top flight on 29 September 2012, closing the 2–0 home victory over Real Zaragoza.[11] On 30 August of the following year, he was loaned to Madrid-based Rayo Vallecano in a season-long move without the option of making the deal permanent afterwards.[12]

Standard Liège

On 1 September 2014, Viera cut ties with Valencia,[13] immediately joining Standard Liège.[14] He appeared in only seven competitive matches during his spell in Belgium, scoring in a 2–1 group stage defeat at Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa League.[15]

Return to Las Palmas

On 14 January 2015, Viera was loaned to Las Palmas until June.[16] He contributed seven goals in 21 appearances, as his team returned to the top division after a 13-year absence.[17]

Viera signed a permanent three-year deal on 14 July 2015, for €900,000.[18]

Beijing Guoan

On 19 February 2018, Viera joined Chinese Super League club Beijing Sinobo Guoan F.C. on a four-year contract for a fee of around €11 million. The player acknowledged the transfer "took care" of his future,[19][20] and Las Palmas retained a buy-back option in the future.[17] On 7 April 2019, he was named the competition's Player of the Month for the previous month.[21]

Viera completed the second hat-trick of his career on 28 April 2019, by scoring three goals in a 4–1 home defeat of Dalian Yifang F.C. in the domestic league.[22] In August, he was loaned to Las Palmas until the end of the year.[23]

Third spell at Las Palmas

On 23 August 2021, Viera returned to Las Palmas on a five-year contract.[24] He scored a personal best 14 goals in his first season,[25] adding seven in the following for the runners-up who thus returned to the top tier.[26]

On 14 December 2023, the 34-year-old Viera left by mutual agreement.[27] Shortly before that, he had briefly put his career on hold to take care of his sick wife.[28]

Almería

On 6 February 2024, Viera joined top-flight UD Almería on a deal running until June 2025.[29]

International career

Viera played once with the Spain under-21s, featuring the last minutes of the 1–1 friendly draw with Belarus in Alcalá de Henares.[30] On 9 October 2017, as the full side had already qualified as group champions for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, manager Julen Lopetegui handed him his debut, and he played the entire 1–0 away win over Israel.[31]

Career statistics

Viera being interviewed after signing with Valencia (in Spanish)
As of 27 May 2023[32][33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[b] Continental[c] Others[d] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Las Palmas 2010–11 Segunda División 31 7 0 0 — — 31 7
2011–12 Segunda División 29 9 0 0 — — 29 9
Total 60 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 16
Valencia 2012–13 La Liga 17 2 4 0 2 0 — 23 2
2013–14 La Liga 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
Total 18 2 4 0 2 0 0 0 24 2
Rayo Vallecano 2013–14 La Liga 26 5 2 0 — — 28 5
Standard Liège 2014–15 Belgian Pro League 3 0 1 0 3 1 — 7 1
Las Palmas 2014–15 Segunda División 21 7 0 0 — — 21 7
2015–16 La Liga 36 10 2 0 — — 38 10
2016–17 La Liga 31 7 2 0 — — 33 7
2017–18 La Liga 23 4 2 0 — — 25 4
Total 111 28 6 0 0 0 0 0 117 28
Beijing Guoan 2018 Chinese Super League 27 11 7 5 — — 34 16
2019 Chinese Super League 17 8 1 0 5 0 1 0 24 8
2020 Chinese Super League 18 3 1 0 8 2 — 27 5
2021 Chinese Super League 3 1 0 0 0 0 — 3 1
Total 65 23 9 5 13 2 1 0 88 30
Las Palmas (loan) 2019–20 Segunda División 13 10 0 0 — — 13 10
Las Palmas 2021–22 Segunda División 32 14 0 0 — 2 0 34 14
2022–23 Segunda División 32 7 0 0 — — 32 7
Total 77 31 0 0 0 0 2 0 79 31
Career total 360 105 22 5 18 3 3 0 403 113
  1. ^ In isolation, Jonathan is pronounced [ˈɟʝonatan].
  2. ^ Appearances in Copa del Rey, Belgian Cup and Chinese FA Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and AFC Champions League
  4. ^ Appearances in Chinese FA Super Cup and La Liga play-offs

Honours

Beijing Guoan

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Jonathan Viera". As (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  2. ^ "La perla del líder" [The leader's gem]. La Provincia (in Spanish). 11 September 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Jonathan Viera renueva por tres temporadas" [Jonathan Viera renews for three seasons]. La Provincia (in Spanish). 18 February 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Juanpe, Vitolo, Vicente Gómez y Jonathan Viera se incorporan al primer equipo" [Juanpe, Vitolo, Vicente Gómez and Jonathan Viera added to first team]. Marca (in Spanish). 22 June 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Jonathan Viera resucita a Las Palmas en el Mini Estadi" [Jonathan Viera brings Las Palmas back to life at Mini Estadi]. Marca (in Spanish). 15 May 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Jonathan Viera: "Yo quiero quedarme hasta junio"" [Jonathan Viera: "I want to stay until June"] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 28 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Vitolo acaba la Liga como máximo goleador de la UD Las Palmas" [Vitolo ends League as Las Palmas top scorer]. Ideal (in Spanish). 4 June 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  8. ^ "El Valencia ficha a Jonathan Viera, mediapunta de Las Palmas" [Valencia sign Jonathan Viera, Las Palmas attacking midfielder]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 6 May 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Spanish youngster Jonathan Viera signs with Valencia". Footballcracy. 7 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Barca inspired by Adriano". ESPN Soccernet. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  11. ^ "Ten-man Valencia ease to victory". ESPN Soccernet. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  12. ^ "Jonathan Viera se marcha cedido al Rayo Vallecano" [Jonathan Viera goes to Rayo Vallecano on loan]. As (in Spanish). 30 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Official statement – Jonathan Viera". Valencia CF. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  14. ^ "Jonathan Viera, al Standard de Lieja y Jonas rescinde" [Jonathan Viera, to Standard de Liège and Jonas is terminated]. As (in Spanish). 1 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  15. ^ Wigmans, Remy (2 October 2014). "Feyenoord edge late win against Standard". UEFA. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Jonathan Viera llega cedido del Standard de Lieja" [Jonathan Viera arrives on loan from Standard Liège] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Viera firma un contrato de regreso" [Viera signs return contract.] (in Spanish). Gran Canaria TV. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  18. ^ Artiles Castellano, Alberto (14 July 2015). "La UD ficha a Viera por tres años" [UD sign Viera for three years]. Canarias7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  19. ^ "Jonathan Viera deja Las Palmas y se va a la Superliga china" [Jonathan Viera leaves Las Palmas and goes to the Chinese Superleague]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 19 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  20. ^ Sainz de Vicuña, Mikel (19 February 2018). "El Beijing Guoan cifra el traspaso de Viera en 11 millones de euros" [Beijing Guoan tag Viera transfer in 11 million euros]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  21. ^ "中超3月各项最佳出炉:国安夺3魁 张宇峰最佳U21" [Superbest in March's Super League: Guoan take 3 Zhang Yufeng best U21] (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  22. ^ "生涯第2帽!比埃拉家庭博物馆收藏进球 直言太兴奋" [Second career hat trick! Viera adds match ball to his personal museum] (in Chinese). Sina Sports. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  23. ^ "Jonathan Viera regresa para jugar en Las Palmas hasta enero" [Jonathan Viera returns to play in Las Palmas until January] (in Spanish). Radio Televisión Canaria. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "Jonathan Viera vuelve a casa" [Jonathan Viera returns home] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  25. ^ Marrero, Javier (30 May 2022). "Jonathan Viera iguala un registro goleador de hace casi 70 años" [Jonathan Viera equals scoring record aged nearly 70] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas Fansite. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  26. ^ Dorta, Nehemías (8 June 2023). "Análisis global UD Las Palmas 22/23 (IV): la delantera" [UD Las Palmas 22/23 overall analysis (IV): forwards] (in Spanish). Medium. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Jonathan Viera finaliza su etapa en la UD Las Palmas" [Jonathan Viera ends his spell at UD Las Palmas] (in Spanish). UD Las Palmas. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Jogador espanhol interrompe carreira para cuidar da esposa com câncer" [Spanish player interrupts career to take care of wife with cancer] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Jonathan Viera: refuerzo de calidad para el Almería" [Jonathan Viera: quality addition for Almería] (in Spanish). UD Almería. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  30. ^ Egea, Pablo (28 March 2011). "España y Bielorrusia firman un empate amistoso" [Spain and Belarus sign friendly draw]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  31. ^ Ortego, Enrique (9 October 2017). "Un golazo de Illarra premia a España" [Illarra wonder goal rewards Spain]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  32. ^ "Jonathan Viera". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  33. ^ Jonathan Viera at ESPN FC
  34. ^ a b Fuentes, P. (1 December 2018). "Jonathan Viera conquista la Copa de China con el Beijing" [Jonathan Viera conquers Chinese Cup with Beijing]. La Provincia (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Jonathan Viera is the December Player of the Month in LaLiga SmartBank". La Liga. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  36. ^ "Jonathan Viera named LaLiga SmartBank Player of the Month for May". La Liga. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  37. ^ "Jonathan Viera named LaLiga SmartBank Player for the Month for October". La Liga. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.

External links

UD Almería – current squad
Chinese FA Cup top scorers
Categories