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JOSÉ FRANCISCO MOLINA JIMENEZ
Date of Birth: 8 August, 1970
Nationality: Spain (international between 1996 and 2000)
Period at Deportivo: 2000 - 2006
Transfer: ca. €4,1 million (650 mln ptas) (2000, from Atlético de Madrid)
Clubs: Atlético de Madrid (1995-2000), Albacete (1994-1995), Villarreal (1993-1994), Alzira
Sold: Out of contract (2006)
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Position: Goalkeeper
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 MOLINA was the undisputed first goalkeeper of Deportivo between 2000 and 2006, a period when the club won one Copa del Rey, two Supercopas and participated in the Champions League five times. It were the glory days of EuroDepor and Molina defended the goal back then. Unfortunately it was in June 2006, when Depor were about to celebrate their 100th anniversary, that Molina left. Molina decided that his cycle at Depor was over. But his name will be in its history books forever.
Despite being born in Valencia, Molina never played for his local team. He started at lowly CD Alzira, before moving on to Villarreal, Albacete and Atlético. At Albacete he was the goalkeeper who let in eight goals in a historic Liga defeat against Deportivo (2-8). But his qualities earned him a transfer to Atlético de Madrid where he would play a total of 189 Liga matches. In his first year at that club the double (Liga and Copa) was won. But the Liga results went from winning the competition in 1996 to relegation in 2000.
It was the moment when Deportivo president Lendoiro struck a deal with relegated Atlético which brought Molina, Capdevila and Valerón to the Galician city. Deportivo had to pay around €4,1 million for the goalkeeper, but he quickly proved to be a success. Molina won the fight for the starting position against the legendary Jacques Songo'o. The African goalkeeper had been Depor's first choice between 1996 and 2000. Songo'o left the club one year after the arrival of Molina.
Molina proved to be as good as Songo'o (151 Liga matches at Deportivo), and in 2006 had 169 Liga matches in six seasons behind his name wearing the shirt of Deportivo. Molina was an important piece in the team which won the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid (2002) and the Supercopa in 2000 and 2002. He also showed his qualities in Europe, among which were the penalty saves from Del Piero and Henry in the 2001/2002 edition of the Champions League.
The season 2002/2003 was the most difficult one for Molina at the club because he was ruled out by a knee injury at the beginning of that campaign. Unfortunately, when just recovered he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and announced an indefinite retirement in October 2002. But he responded very well to the treatment and recovered from the cancer within three months. In February 2003 he came back to the squad and quickly took back the first goalkeeping spot at Deportivo.
Only during the final part of the season 2004/2005 Molina lost his starting position temporarily to Munúa. Injured Molina was replaced with success by the Uruguayan goalie and Irureta put his confidence on Munúa for the final part of the season. With one year of contract left, all hinted at a departure of Molina that summer. But after the arrival of new coach Caparrós he reclaimed his starting position and defended Depor’s goal during all matches from start to finish. He proved to be one of Depor’s best during that difficult year and for sure Deportivo would have suffered more without him.
Despite being a steady and reliable Spanish goalkeeper, his international career never quite took off. He made a memorable debut for Spain on 24 April 24, 1996 against Norway as he came on as an outfield player for the final 14 minutes of the goalless draw because Spain had used all their outfield substitutes. He would play another seven matches for the Spanish team until he was dropped from the squad after the Euro 2004 tournament. During the tournament he had made a mistake against Norway which cost the Spaniards the match (0-1) and he never returned to the team. This made it possible for Molina to completely focus on his club, with positive results.
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