Background Check: Iago Falque

In the second instalment of the recently added Background Check section of the blog, Southampton's new loan signing Iago Falque comes under the spotlight. The aim of this section is to look a little closer at Saints' new arrivals under Nigel Adkins for the sake of those who may not have a great understanding of St. Marys' newest imports.


Falque, 21, certainly is a young midfielder with enormous pedigree who already boasts a host of top European clubs amongst his former employers for one so young. Born in Vigo, the North-Western city of Spain, Falque began his youth career within the Real Madrid youth team ranks at the tender age of 10 before moving a year later to the world famous Barcelona academy, La Masia. 


Whilst at Barca, Falque was regarded as one of the brightest prospects of the academy alongside Bojan Krkic and fellow Spurs man Giovanni Dos Santos and made his debut for the Barcelona B side at 18 following a successful U17 European Championships Campaign with Spain. During that competition Falque was pivotal in the Spanish side that overcame England in the final and his displays strengthened the attention of his admirers. 


The following year was shaping up to be Falque's breakthrough campaign with Barcelona as he gained a place in the "B" team and scoring in his only appearance for the side. It wasn't to be for Falque and Barca, however, as the midfielder's head was turned by an offer from Juventus for the young prospects' services. The offer proved too good for either party to turn down and in August 2008 Falque headed for Italy in the search of playing time with another of European football's biggest clubs.


Falque struggled for opportunities with the Serie A giants, however, as the Italians continued to stick with their experienced options as is too often the case within the Italian game. A loan deal to fellow Serie A side Bari then materialised but, after failing to appear for them in his five month stint, he returned to the Old Lady in January 2010. Falque continued to impress for the Juve youth team, helping them to successive Viareggio Cups in 2009 and 2010 but still hadn't featured for Juve's first-team.


A return to Spain followed in the summer of 2010 as Falque moved on loan to Villareall B who compete in the Segunda Division, the 2nd tier of Spanish football. Falque rediscovered his form and blossomed under the guidance of the Yellow Submarines. While on loan the Spanish U21 player scored 11 times in his 36 appearances for the club and would have been surprised when the Spaniards decided against taking up the option of signing him permanently.


Not long after his return to Juve in June it was clear that his future lay away from the Serie A club as he moved just two months later to Tottenham Hotspur on loan with a view to a permanent deal. Falque featured 6 times in total for Spurs in FA Cup and Europa League competition before sealing a permanent switch to the North-London side yesterday. As part of that deal it was announced that Falque would be joining Championship leaders Southampton to gain vital first-team experience with the South Coast side as they push for promotion back to the Premiership.

Falque seems to be a natural fit for Saints as an attacking midfielder who is comfortable on the ball and can play in a variety of positions, an attribute noted by Nigel Adkins as key to his reasoning behind signing the youngster. Speaking to the club's official website the pair seemed equally pleased with the deal. 

Adkins said, "He's a very exciting player and I'm pleased that we've got him on board and I think the supporters will be excited by what he can do on the pitch. Like many of our  players he's a player who can play on the left, on the right and in the number 10 position behind the striker, so he's a talented footballer and one who I'm sure is going to excite everybody."

Falque was just as complimentary of  his new team-mates, adding; "I'm very happy to be here at Southampton, and I am looking forward to training with my new team-mates who have proved this season that they are very talented. I hope that I can help the team to great things this season."