Miguel de Las Cuevas - Club Career

Club Career

Born in Alicante, Valencian Community, de las Cuevas started his professional career with hometown's Hércules CF, in the third division. In the 2004–05 season, he was instrumental as the side achieved promotion to the second level after a six year-absence.

In 2006–07, de las Cuevas signed with Atlético de Madrid. During preseason, on 13 August, in the Teresa Herrera Trophy match against Nacional de Montevideo, he suffered a serious ankle injury that kept him out of action for more than one year.

On 12 December 2007 de las Cuevas finally made his debut for the Colchoneros, playing the second half in a Spanish Cup away game against Granada 74 CF, in the round-of-32. He appeared in 13 La Liga contests with the club in his first season after returning from injury, 12 as a substitute.

On 25 June 2009, after producing slightly the same numbers with Atlético, de las Cuevas moved to fellow top level outfit Sporting de Gijón on a four-year deal – however, Atlético retained an option to rebuy in the first three. He had a breakthrough season in 2009–10, ranking second in goals in the team; highlights included braces against RCD Mallorca (4–1), Athletic Bilbao (2–1, away) and one against former side Atlético (1–1), the goal that certified Sporting's permanence in the top flight for a further year, on 8 May 2010.

Still under manager Manuel Preciado, de las Cuevas was again an undisputed starter for Gijón in the 2010–11 season. On 2 April 2011 he scored the only goal of the match in a win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, ending José Mourinho's record of games unbeaten at home (nine years, 150 matches); he only missed one league match and added six goals, in another final escape from relegation.