Juanjo Nieto’s Rafalafena roots and rise recalled as he returns to CD Castellón | OneFootball

Juanjo Nieto’s return to CD Castellón is rooted in the years that shaped him at CF Rafalafena, where he consistently outclassed older boys and lived to play.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the Castellón-born full-back was football-obsessed at Bernat Artola school and grew up playing with his brother Javi and close friend Alejandro Jiménez.

He started at Rafalafena’s prebenjamín, moved to Castellón’s academy, then after a short Roda stint returned as a cadete. Club man Juan Jiménez recalls convincing him on deadline day to stay with his friends, and coach Pepe Zaera proved pivotal.

As a first-year juvenil he played for Juvenil B and A, both promoted, and for the amateur side, which stayed up. He even helped coach a prebenjamín group as his commitment and physique surged.

Back at Castellón in División de Honor Juvenil, a switch under Jorge Peris enhanced his attacking threat. At 18 he debuted in Tercera in December 2012, against Eldense at home then Utiel and Catarroja away, before joining Valladolid B.

His senior career took him to Atlético Baleares, Mallorca, Hércules, Oviedo, Almería, Huesca and Celje in Slovenia, with Conference appearances. Those at Rafalafena say they followed it with pride and praise his character.

Alejandro Jiménez believes Nieto suits Pablo Hernández’s style, noting defensive growth since converting to right-back. He has also played as a wing-back on either side and at times as a third centre-back, bringing pace, front-foot defending and duel-winning strength.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo