David Cubillas, CD Castellón’s centenary captain, announces retirement | OneFootball

David Cubillas, 35, will retire at the end of the season. The Tarazona striker announced the decision on Tuesday on social media. The player said in a post that the final six league matches will be his last as a professional, adding that he is stepping aside out of honesty.

The Castellón native enjoyed his defining years at CD Castellón. He helped haul the club out of Tercera, top scoring with 20 goals in the 2018 promotion, then went up again in 2020 to Segunda División. Across six seasons he became a symbol, captaining the side during its centenary.

Born in Castellón de la Plana on 19 June 1990, he started at Sporting de Castellón under Pedro Nadal at the old Federativos grounds. His grandfather, who ran a bar on Gran Vía, paid him 1,000 pesetas per hat-trick and another 1,000 for left-footed goals. The grandson cost him money.

He moved to Villarreal’s academy and B team, then played for Benidorm, Espanyol B, Huracán Valencia, returned to Villarreal B and joined Melilla, mostly in Segunda B, with a stint at Deportivo B. He later dropped to Tercera to rejoin Castellón after the club’s persistence.

After his Castellón years, Cubillas joined Tarazona in Primera RFEF. This is his third season there, having returned to action after a serious injury.

His message conveyed contentment and gratitude. He noted he had not played in the top flight or won titles, yet he fulfilled a childhood dream to be a footballer and offered thanks after nearly 20 years and more than 500 matches.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo