Samuel "Samu" García Sánchez (born 13 July 1990) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right winger or a forward.
He totalled 104 games and 11 goals in La Liga over five seasons, representing Málaga (two stints), Villarreal, Leganés and Levante. He also played in Russia with Rubin Kazan.
Club career Born in Málaga, Andalusia, García played his first years as a senior with UD Dos Hermanas San Andrés and Tercera División team CD Alhaurino,Presentación de Javilillo, Samuel y Mata (Presentation of Javilillo, Samuel and Mata); CD Alhaurino, 5 August 2009 (in Spanish) before joining Málaga CF's reserves in 2010 and going on to compete several seasons at that level with the club. In 2004, at the age of 14, he was signed by Chelsea in the Premier League, but returned to his hometown after only three months after failing to adjust.Samuel, el goleador que quería Mourinho (Samuel, the scorer that Mourinho wanted); La Opinión de Málaga, 5 November 2013 (in Spanish)
In the summer of 2013, García was called to the first team by newly appointed manager Bernd Schuster.Samu tendrá dorsal del primer equipo y Darder y Fabrice seguirán con Schuster (Samu will have first-team jersey and Darder and Fabrice will continue with Schuster); Diario Sur, 14 August 2013 (in Spanish) He signed his first professional contract shortly after, keeping him at the La Rosaleda Stadium until June 2016.Samu García amplía su vinculación con el Málaga CF hasta la temporada 2015/16 (Samu García extends link with Málaga CF until 2015/16 season); Málaga CF, 14 August 2013 (in Spanish)
García made his official debut with Málaga's main squad on 17 August 2013, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1−0 La Liga away loss against Valencia CF.Valencia edge victory; ESPN FC, 17 August 2013 He scored his first goal on 3 November, playing less than ten minutes and netting in the 93rd minute of a 3−2 derby home win over Real Betis.Malaga 3−2 Real Betis ; ESPN FC, 3 November 2013
Both García and his Málaga teammate Samu Castillejo joined Villarreal CF on 18 June 2015, signing a five-year deal.El Villarreal CF ficha a los ‘Samus’ (Villarreal CF sign the 'Samus') ; Villarreal CF, 18 June 2015 (in Spanish) On 30 June of the following year, the former transferred to Russian Premier League club FC Rubin Kazan alongside coach Javi Gracia.
On 19 January 2017, García joined CD Leganés on loan until the end of the top-flight season. On 24 August, he signed a three-year contract with Levante UD in the same league but, the following transfer window, returned to Málaga on a five-month loan.
García left Levante on 14 January 2019. In December 2020, he revealed in his Instagram account that he had already decided to retire previous to that.
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