Javier Baraja

Javier Baraja Vegas (born 24 August 1980) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a defensive midfielder or a central defender, currently a manager.

He spent most of his professional career with Valladolid, appearing in 229 competitive games and playing six La Liga seasons with the club (ten in total).

Relatively used during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons, Baraja scored his first goal for Valladolid on 13 September 2008, netting a penalty in a 2–1 home win over Atlético Madrid.

[2] He experienced a further two top-tier relegations with them until his retirement at the age of 34, adding one promotion in 2012 and often acting as team captain.

[3][4] On 23 May 2019, Baraja was appointed the new manager of Valladolid's reserves in the Segunda División B, replacing Miguel Rivera who had stepped down two days earlier.