Chory Castro

Not to be confused with Gonzalo Castro Randón.

Chory Castro

File:Chorycastro.JPG
Personal information
Full name	Gonzalo Castro Irizábal
Date of birth	(1984-09-14) 14 September 1984
Place of birth	Trinidad, Uruguay
Height
Position(s)	Winger
Team information
Current team	Málaga
Number	5
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2007	Nacional	81	(21)
2007–2012	Mallorca	131	(23)
2012–2016	Real Sociedad	94	(12)
2016–	Málaga	16	(1)
International career‡
2005–	Uruguay	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:00, 16 May 2016 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 February 2013

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Castro and the second or maternal family name is Irizábal.

Gonzalo "Chory" Castro Irizábal (born 14 September 1984) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Málaga CF as a left winger.

Club career

Early years / Mallorca

Born in Trinidad, Flores Department, Castro was a product of Club Nacional de Football's youth ranks. He made his professional debut on 13 July 2002 in a 3–1 win over Central Español. He went on to become an important first-team member, helping the club to two national leagues while finishing in the scorer charts' top three in the 2005–06 season.

On 7 August 2007, Castro signed a five-year contract with La Liga side RCD Mallorca. Rarely used during his first year, the same occurred in the 2008–09 campaign; however, during a week in March 2009, he managed to score in a 1–1 home draw against FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, adding a brace in a league 3–3 home draw with Real Betis after coming from the bench as the Balearic Islands team trailed 0–2 (and eventually 0–3).

In 2009–10 Castro finally beat competition from veteran Fernando Varela, starting most of the campaign and scoring six goals in 35 matches as Mallorca finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League (fourth until the last minute of the last matchday). On 23 October 2010 he netted twice at Valencia CF in a 2–1 win, opening the score with a seventh-minute penalty kick. He scored five goals in 33 games during the season to help his team barely avoid relegation.

Real Sociedad

After leaving Mallorca in May 2012, Castro continued competing in the Spanish top flight, joining Real Sociedad for four years as a free agent. On 19 January 2013, he netted two of his six goals during the campaign to help the hosts come from behind 0–2 and defeat Barcelona 3–2.

Castro appeared in seven out of the Basques' eight matches in the 2013–14 edition of the UEFA Champions League – all rounds comprised – going scoreless in the process as the team exited in the group stage.

Málaga

On 6 January 2016, Castro terminated his link (which was about to expire) with Real Sociedad and moved to fellow league club Málaga CF for two-and-a-half seasons.

International career

Castro made his debut for Uruguay on 17 August 2005, playing the first half of a friendly match against Spain in Gijón. He was selected for a provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup by coach Óscar Tabárez, but eventually did not make the final cut.

Personal life

Castro's younger sister, Juliana, is also a footballer. A striker, she played for several clubs in her career, including the Missouri Valley College in the United States, and also represented the Uruguayan national team.

Honours

Nacional

• Uruguayan League: 2002, 2005, 2005–06

External links

• Mallorca official profile
• Chory Castro profile at BDFutbol
• Chory Castro at National-Football-Teams.com
• Chory Castro – UEFA competition record
• Chory Castro at Soccerway