Víctor José Añino Bermúdez (born 9 September 1983), known as Vitolo, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Tercera Federación club Real Unión de Tenerife.
He began his career at Tenerife, going on to appear in 67 a total of La Liga matches for that club and Racing de Santander and returning to the former in 2014. He also competed extensively in Greece, mainly with PAOK and Panathinaikos.
Vitolo won 18 caps for Spain at youth level, being runner-up with the under-20 team at the 2003 World Cup.
Club career Vitolo was born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. A product of CD Tenerife's youth system, he played one match for the first team during the 2001–02 season as the club returned to the Segunda División one year after being promoted. He made his debut in La Liga on 16 September 2001, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 2–0 home win against Villarreal CF.Marioni tradujo la superioridad del Tenerife (Marioni translated Tenerife superiority); ABC, 17 September 2001 (in Spanish)
From 2005 to 2007, Vitolo was a key midfield element for Racing de Santander, which finished tenth in the top division in the latter campaign. After some problems with newly appointed coach Marcelino García Toral, however, he would spend 2007–08 on loan to another side in the second tier, RC Celta de Vigo.Vitolo jugará cedido en el Celta la próxima temporada (Vitolo will play on loan to Celta next season); Marca, 22 August 2007 (in Spanish)
With the Galicians, Vitolo did not manage to return to the Spanish top flight, and his buyout clause of approximately €3 million was not activated, so the player returned to Cantabria. In August 2008, however, he terminated his contract and joined Aris Thessaloniki FC. Under compatriot Quique Hernández, he eventually developed into a key midfield element in his only season.
Vitolo signed a four-year deal with PAOK FC on 27 July 2009. He scored his first goal in Greece against his former club, in a 4–1 derby win.
On 13 July 2011, Vitolo was released by PAOK. Later in the same day he signed with another team in the country's Super League, Panathinaikos FC, agreeing to a three-year contract.; Football Press, 19 July 2011
In the summer of 2013, Vitolo was released by Panathinaikos and joined Super Lig's Elazığspor for three years. However, in February of the following year he cut ties with the club, playing his last game in December 2013 in a 1–0 home victory over Rizespor; the side were eventually relegated in May, after ranking third-bottom.
Vitolo returned to Tenerife on 18 June 2014, after signing a two-year deal.
International career Vitolo represented Spain at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship held at the United Arab Emirates, alongside the likes of Sergio García and Andrés Iniesta. During the competition he played holding midfielder with notable performances, as the team went on to lose 1–0 to Brazil in the final.Spain denied at final hurdle; UEFA, 19 December 2003
Eventually, Vitolo progressed to the under-21s.
Career statistics
Club performance League Cup Continental Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total 2001–02Tenerife La Liga 10000010 2002–03Segunda División 20000020 2003–04 3101000320 2004–05 3512000371 2005–06RacingLa Liga 3302000350 2006–07 3301000340 2007–08 Celta Segunda División 3403100371 Greece League Greek Cup Europe Total 2008–09 ArisSuper League Greece 21030002402009–10PAOK 26130203112010–11 252101003622011–12Panathinaikos25020102802012–1326430101395 Turkey Süper Lig Turkish Cup Europe Total2013–14 Elazığspor Süper Lig1104000150 Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total 2014–15TenerifeSegunda División 3851000395 2015–16 3600000360 Total Spain2436101002537 Greece12251202311576 Turkey1104000150 Career total3761126123142513
Honours Spain U20 FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2003
References
External links