Manolo returns home after 15 years with a lengthy goalkeeping career behind him, playing nearly 500 games, achieving three promotions to LaLiga Santander and two to LaLiga SmartBank.
Youth divisions and first team
Manuel Reina Rodríguez (Villanueva del Trabuco, Málaga, 1985) was raised within the Malaguista youth ranks (1997-2004) and is part of a historic generation that won the Copa de Campeones in 2003 with Málaga CF’s Juvenil ‘A’ in the División de Honor.
In the 04/05 season, he debuted in the Second Division with Málaga B, playing in the silver division for three years (2003-06), along with several homegrown stars who made a career in the elite, such as Manolo Gaspar, Jesús Gámez, Alexis, Juanito, Juan Rodríguez, Juanma, Nacho and many more.
Despite being a member of the reserve team, at just 20 years of age Manolo made his first team debut in the 05/06 season during a Málaga-Valencia clash (0-0) held at Rosaleda, on 5th March 2006.
Lengthy stages in Levante and Tarragona
The goalkeeper left Málaga in 2007, signing to Levante UD where he stayed for four seasons. His best campaign in Valencia was in 09/10, when the team achieved First Division promotion, playing 22 league games (all entire matches and in the starting-11).
Following a brief spell with FC Cartagena (11/12), where his teammates included Josemi, Manolo Gaspar and Manu Torres in the silver division, and overseas (2012-13) with Cypriot outfit AEP Paphos and Atromitos in Greece, he kicked off a four-year term with Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona (2013-17).
With Nàstic he achieved his second promotion as a professional, in the 14/15 season, to the Second Division, having won the group championship in the bronze division.
Promotions and glory in Mallorca
The last well-known stage of Manolo Reina's career was at RCD Mallorca (2017-22). Five seasons with this team saw him win two consecutive promotions to LaLiga SmartBank (17/18) and LaLiga Santander (18/19) during his first two years on the island, as one of the great icons of the Mallorca team.
Following another season in the Second Division, he returned to the elite as a captain with RCD Mallorca, achieving his fifth promotion (20/21) and an epic permanence in the recently finalised Liga Santander 21/22.
Experience, leadership and a feeling of belonging to strengthen the Blue and White goal and the team for the next two seasons. Welcome home Manolo!
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