Andrés José Túñez Arceo (; born 15 March 1987) is a Venezuelan former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
He spent the better part of his 17-year career with Celta and Buriram United, winning several titles with the latter club including four Thai League 1 championships.
Túñez represented Venezuela internationally.
Early years Túñez was born in Caracas, Venezuela to José "Pepe" Túñez and Margarita Arceo, a family of Spanish immigrants from Galicia. Aged 7, his family would return to their hometown of Bertamirans, Ames.
Club career Túñez began playing football at Colegio La Salle primary school, in the nearby city of Santiago de Compostela. Three years later, he joined the Escuela de Fútbol de Rosalia de Castro academy. After a two-year spell at SD Compostela, he moved to neighbouring RC Celta de Vigo to complete his development.
In February 2010, following Jordi Figueras's transfer to FC Rubin Kazan, Túñez was promoted to the first team. He had spent nearly four seasons with the reserves in the Segunda División B, and finished that campaign with 16 league appearances with the main squad, which competed in the Segunda División.
Túñez contributed 29 games (all starts) in 2011–12, as Celta returned to La Liga after an absence of five years. He scored his only goal of the season on 28 January 2012, in a 1–0 away win against Girona FC.
Túñez played his first match in the Spanish top flight on 18 August 2012, starting in a 0–1 home loss to Málaga CF. After being deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Luis Enrique he moved to Thailand, going on to win several accolades including four Thai League 1 championships; interspersed with this, he served a loan at Israeli Premier League club Beitar Jerusalem F.C. alongside his teammate Jonathan Vila.
In April 2023, after three seasons with BG Pathum United F.C. also in the Thai top tier, the 36-year-old Túñez announced his retirement.
International career
On 24 February 2010, it was reported in the local papers that the Venezuela national team had approached Túñez's agent with an offer for the player to represent the nation. He made his debut in September of the following year, playing injury time of a 1–0 friendly defeat with Argentina.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCelta B2006–07Segunda División B90————902007–08230————2302008–09250————2502009–10160————160 730————730Celta2009–10Segunda División16170———2312010–117100——10812011–1229100———2912012–13La Liga30030———330823100——10933Beitar Jerusalem2013–14Israeli Premier League23020———250Buriram United2014Thai Premier League19210——2022015279107611044172016Thai League 12791195111442020171714020——2312018283604071104642019276414060104272020–2141——20—61 Total1493136171002634122552Elche (loan)2016–17Segunda División170————170BG Pathum United2020–21Thai League 123521—51—3072021–22203303070103432022–231312020——171 Total5697150121108111 Career total4004355181503846151466
Honours Buriram United Thai League 1: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 Thai FA Cup: 2015 Kor Royal Cup: 2015, 2016 Thailand Champions Cup: 2019 Thai League Cup: 2015, 2016 Mekong Club Championship: 2015 Toyota Premier Cup: 2016
BG Pathum United Thai League 1: 2020–21 Thailand Champions Cup: 2022 Thai League Cup runners-up: 2022–23
Individual Thai League 1 Best XI: 2020–21
References
External links
Celta de Vigo biography