Malagueño, Francisco Portillo Soler, who trained in the lower categories of Málaga Club de Fútbol, has been signed to the first team for 2012-13, and will change his number 27 shirt, worn in the Blue and Whites’ second team, for number 19.
Twenty-two year old Francisco Portillo Soler, took part in various training sessions with the first team in 2009/10, making his debut on 24th January 2010 against Real Madrid. In 2010/11, he played in nine matches with Atlético Malagueño in the Third Division, though he progressed into the First Division, playing 17 games to date – and was included in the starting 11 in seven of these matches.
In 2011/12, Portillo began to work under Manuel Pellegrini, rather than alternating training sessions with the first and second teams. His quality and consistency on the pitch impressed the coach, and he’s now been included in the first team. Portillo has played in two League matches and one Champions League match so far this season.