Gonzalo Villar del Fraile (; born 23 March 1998) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Elche CF.
Club career Early career Villar was born in Murcia, and represented Elche CF as a youth. On 4 January 2015, aged just 16, he made his senior debut with the reserves by coming on as a second-half substitute in a 0–3 Segunda División B home loss against UE Sant Andreu.
On 28 August 2015 Villar joined Valencia CF for a fee of € 175,000, and returned to youth football. Promoted to the B-team ahead of the 2017–18 season, he was a first-choice in Lubo Penev's side, scoring his first senior goal on 26 August 2017 in a 4–1 home routing of CF Peralada-Girona B.
Elche On 9 July 2018, Villar returned to Elche, being assigned to the main squad in Segunda División; Valencia retained 80% of his future transfer. He made his professional debut on 18 August, starting in a 0–0 home draw against Granada CF.
Villar scored his first professional goal on 24 November 2019, netting his team's third in a 3–3 away draw against Málaga CF.
Roma On 29 January 2020, Villar moved abroad for the first time in his career, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with AS Roma. Roma paid an initial fee of €4 million for his transfer, with potential extra €1 million due based on performance. He made his Serie A debut on 15 February, replacing Diego Perotti in a 1–2 away loss at Atalanta BC.
Loan to Getafe On 13 January 2022, Villar returned to his home country after agreeing to a loan deal with La Liga side Getafe CF until the end of the season.
Loan to Sampdoria On 8 August 2022, Villar joined Sampdoria on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
Second loan to Getafe On 13 January 2023, Villar returned to Getafe on a season-long loan with the option to make the deal permanent, which becomes an obligation if certain conditions are met.
Granada On 4 August 2023, Villar signed a contract with Granada CF, newly-promoted to the top tier.
Dinamo Zagreb On 17 June 2025, Villar joined Croatian side GNK Dinamo Zagreb on a "multi-year" contract.
Elche return On 31 January 2026, Villar returned to his first club Elche on a six-month loan deal, with a buyout clause. On 29 May, he signed a permanent three-year deal with the club.
International career Due to the isolation of some national team players following the positive COVID-19 test of Sergio Busquets, Spain's under-21 squad were called up for the international friendly against Lithuania on 8 June 2021. Villar made his senior debut in the match as Spain won 4–0.
Personal life Villar's younger brother Javier is also a footballer and a midfielder. He too was groomed at Elche.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsElche B2014–15Segunda División B30——30Valencia B2015–16Segunda División B00——002016–17Segunda División B10——102017–18Segunda División B312——312Total322——322Elche2018–19Segunda División15021—1712019–20Segunda División20120—221Total35141—392Roma2019–20Serie A9000201102020–21Serie A330101304702021–22Serie A00006060Total42010210640Getafe (loan)2021–22La Liga100——100Sampdoria (loan)2022–23Serie A15010—160Getafe (loan)2022–23La Liga160——160Granada2023–24La Liga35110–3612024–25Segunda División37230–402Total72340–763Dinamo Zagreb2025–26Croatian Football League1111030151Elche (loan)2025–26La Liga101——101Career total24681112402819
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSpain202110Total10
References
External links