Adrián Colunga

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Colunga and the second or maternal family name is Pérez.

Adrián Colunga
Colunga as a Recreativo player (2009)
Personal information
Full name Adrián Colunga Pérez
Date of birth (1984-11-17) 17 November 1984
Place of birth Oviedo, Spain
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Murcia (manager)
Youth career
Covadonga
Sporting Gijón
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2006 Sporting Gijón B 28 (9)
2002 → Turón (loan) 8 (8)
2003 → Marino (loan) 5 (0)
2003–2004 → Ceares (loan) 25 (8)
2005–2006 → Marino (loan) 14 (2)
2006 Soledad 16 (9)
2006–2007 Pájara Playas 37 (10)
2007–2008 Las Palmas 34 (13)
2008–2010 Recreativo 46 (11)
2010 → Zaragoza (loan) 16 (7)
2010–2014 Getafe 82 (17)
2012 → Sporting Gijón (loan) 17 (3)
2014–2015 Brighton & Hove Albion 17 (3)
2015 → Granada (loan) 4 (0)
2016 Mallorca 8 (2)
2016–2017 Anorthosis 18 (1)
2017–2018 Goa 2 (1)
Total 377 (104)
Managerial career
2020–2021 Mallorca (youth)
2021–2022 San Francisco (youth)
2023–2024 Murcia (youth)
2024–2025 DAC Dunajská Streda (assistant)
2025 Murcia B
2025– Murcia
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Adrián Colunga Pérez (born 17 November 1984) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the manager of Real Murcia.

He appeared in 152 La Liga matches over seven seasons, scoring 36 goals for Recreativo, Zaragoza, Getafe, Sporting de Gijón and Granada. He added 54 games and 17 goals in the Segunda División, and also competed in England, Cyprus and India.

Playing career

Colunga was born in Oviedo, Asturias. After unsuccessfully emerging through Sporting de Gijón's youth system he made his professional debut on loan, in the Segunda División B with Marino de Luanco – also in his native region – going on to serve several others in the third tier and Tercera División while also spending the 2004–05 season with Sporting's reserves.[1][2]

In January 2006, Colunga was definitely released by Gijón and, after a spell in the fourth division and another in the third, joined UD Las Palmas of Segunda División. He scored 13 league goals (second-best in the squad) in the 2007–08 campaign for a Canary Islands side that was threatened with relegation until the last month of competition.[3]

Colunga was then bought by Recreativo de Huelva in La Liga, on a four-year contract worth €2.7 million.[4] In his debut for the team, on 31 August 2008, he scored the game's only goal in an away win against Andalusia neighbours Real Betis.[5]

Alternating between starts and games from the bench in his first year, Colunga entered the club's history when he scored a penalty kick in a 4–1 loss at Deportivo de La Coruña on 21 December, his fourth consecutive game achieving the feat;[6] Spanish football pundit Guillem Balagué compared the player, in his weekly report of first division encounters, to Valencia CF's David Villa.[7] Despite a first fruitful year individually, Recre ranked last.[8]

On 23 January 2010, after experiencing personal problems in the new season at Recreativo, which included a confrontation with club fans,[9] Colunga was loaned to Real Zaragoza of the top flight until June.[10] He scored on his debut eight days later, a 3–1 away victory over CD Tenerife,[11] and finished the campaign as the team's top scorer in only four months of play, with the Aragonese finally escaping relegation.[12]

On 5 August 2010, Colunga was sold to Getafe CF as Kepa Blanco moved in the opposite direction.[13] He was loaned to Sporting Gijón in January 2012,[3] scoring three times in 13 starts during his short spell but suffering top-division relegation.[14]

Colunga transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion on 25 August 2014 for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract.[15] He scored on his debut the following day, contributing to a 4–2 away defeat of Swindon Town in the second round of the League Cup.[16] He added a further three in the English Championship before the end of the year, with away strikes against Bournemouth (3–2 loss),[17] Norwich City (3–3)[18] and Fulham (2–0).[19]

Following the appointment of Chris Hughton as new manager, Colunga found first-team opportunities difficult and, in the very last day of the 2015 January transfer window, joined Granada CF on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent transfer in June.[20] However, having featured rarely, he returned to Brighton and eventually had his contract terminated by mutual consent on 7 October.[21]

On 2 September 2017, the 32-year-old Colunga switched to the Indian Super League with FC Goa[22] after stints with RCD Mallorca and Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta FC.[23] He made his debut on 16 December, scoring in the last minutes of a 5–1 victory against Delhi Dynamos FC.[24]

Colunga's contract was terminated by mutual agreement on 25 January 2018, when he refused to play second-fiddle to compatriot Coro.[25] Four days later, he announced his retirement.[26]

Coaching career

On 6 August 2020, shortly after obtaining his coaching licence, Colunga returned to Mallorca as manager of the Juvenil B team.[27] The following 25 July, he was appointed at feeder club CD San Francisco in the División de Honor.[28]

Colunga took over Real Murcia CF's Juvenil A squad on 30 September 2023.[29] In February 2024, he left to join Xisco Muñoz's staff at FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda of the Slovak First Football League.[30]

On 14 July 2025, Colunga returned to Murcia, now taking charge of their reserves in the Tercera Federación.[31] On 28 October, he was named caretaker of the main squad after Joseba Etxeberria's dismissal,[32][33] being appointed on a permanent basis on 20 November.[34]

Career statistics

Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Marino (loan) 2002–03[35] Segunda División B 5 0 0 0 — 5 0
Ceares (loan) 2003–04[36] Tercera División 25 7 0 0 — 25 7
Sporting Gijón B 2004–05[36] Tercera División 27 6 0 0 — 27 6
Marino (loan) 2005–06[35] Segunda División B 14 2 0 0 — 14 2
Pájara Playas (loan) 2006–07[35] Segunda División B 37 10 0 0 2[a] 2 39 12
Las Palmas 2007–08[35] Segunda División 33 13 3 0 — 36 13
Recreativo 2008–09[35] La Liga 33 9 1 0 — 34 9
2009–10[35] Segunda División 13 2 1 0 — 14 2
Total 46 11 2 0 — 48 11
Zaragoza (loan) 2009–10[35] La Liga 16 7 0 0 — 16 7
Getafe 2010–11[35] La Liga 29 7 1 0 7[b] 0 37 7
2011–12[35] La Liga 4 0 2 0 — 6 0
2012–13[35] La Liga 22 6 2 0 — 24 6
2013–14[35] La Liga 27 4 4 1 — 31 5
Total 82 17 9 1 7 0 98 18
Sporting Gijón (loan) 2011–12[35] La Liga 17 3 0 0 — 17 3
Brighton & Hove Albion 2014–15[37] Championship 17 3 4 1 — 21 4
Granada (loan) 2014–15[35] La Liga 4 0 0 0 — 4 0
Mallorca 2015–16[35] Segunda División 7 2 0 0 — 7 2
2016–17[35] Segunda División 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Total 8 2 0 0 — 8 2
Anorthosis 2016–17[38] Cypriot First Division 18 1 2 1 — 20 2
Goa 2017–18[38] Indian Super League 2 1 — — 2 1
Career total 351 83 20 3 9 2 380 88
  1. ^ Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Managerial statistics

As of 18 December 2025
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L GF GA GD Win %
Murcia B 14 July 2025 28 October 2025 8 5 2 1 13 8 +5 062.50 [39]
Murcia 28 October 2025 Present 10 6 2 2 14 10 +4 060.00 [40]
Total 18 11 4 3 27 18 +9 061.11 —

References

  1. ^ "Una de las últimas perlas de Mareo explotó en Canarias" [One of the last gems of Mareo exploded in the Canaries]. El Periódico de Aragón (in Spanish). 23 January 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  2. ^ "El nieto de Sindo" [Sindo's grandson]. La Nueva España (in Spanish). 20 October 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Adrián Colunga jugará en el Sporting hasta final de temporada" [Adrián Colunga will play in Sporting until end of the season] (in Spanish). Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Adrián Colunga, segundo fichaje más caro de la historia del 'Recre', llega dispuesto a "no defraudar a nadie"" [Adrián Colunga, the second most expensive signing in Recre history, arrives willing to "not let anyone down"] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
  5. ^ "Colunga: "Fue el debut soñado"" [Colunga: "It was a dream debut"] (in Spanish). Huelva Información. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Deportivo La Coruña 4–1 Recreativo Huelva". ESPN Soccernet. 21 December 2008. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  7. ^ "One to watch". Sky Sports. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  8. ^ Gamero, P.; Silva, S. (13 September 2009). "Caminos paralelos en el otro duelo" [Parallel paths in the other clash] (in Spanish). Huelva Información. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Un grupo de aficionados increpa a Colunga y causa daños en su coche" [Group of fans insults Colunga and damages his car]. Marca (in Spanish). 18 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  10. ^ "Zaragoza sign Colunga as Ayala leaves". ESPN Soccernet. 23 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  11. ^ "Gay inspires memorable triumph". ESPN Soccernet. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  12. ^ Giménez, Paco (7 April 2016). "Dos ex que ya tumbaron al Real Zaragoza" [Two ex who have already downed Real Zaragoza]. Heraldo de Aragón (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Kepa Blanco nuevo delantero del Decano" [Kepa Blanco new Dean forward] (in Spanish). Recreativo Huelva. 5 August 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  14. ^ Vigil Morán, Alejandro (9 February 2017). "¿Qué fue de Adrián Colunga?" [What happened to Adrián Colunga?]. La Voz de Asturias (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Adrian Colunga: Brighton & Hove Albion sign Getafe striker". BBC Sport. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  16. ^ Tighe, Adam (26 August 2014). "Report: Swindon 2 Albion 4". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  17. ^ "AFC Bournemouth 3–2 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  18. ^ "Norwich City 3–3 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  19. ^ "Fulham 0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion". BBC Sport. 29 December 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  20. ^ "Brighton: Adrian Colunga joins La Liga side Granada on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Adrian Colunga: Brighton release Spanish forward". BBC Sport. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  22. ^ "FC Goa sign Edu Bedia, Adrian Colunga". The Indian Express. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  23. ^ Bauzà, Jaume (1 September 2016). "Colunga se marcha harto de Vázquez: "Me ha defraudado"" [Colunga leaves tired of Vázquez: "He disappointed me"]. Diario de Mallorca (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  24. ^ "ISL 2017: FC Goa pump in five past Delhi Dynamos, go top of the table". News18 India. 16 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  25. ^ Mergulhao, Marcus (25 January 2018). "ISL: FC Goa start hunt for new striker as they part ways with Adrian Colunga". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Adrián Colunga, ex de la UD y Pájara, se retira" [Adrián Colunga, formerly of UD and Pájara, retires]. La Provincia (in Spanish). 31 January 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  27. ^ Moreno, Álvaro (6 August 2020). "Adrián Colunga entrenará el Juvenil B del Mallorca" [Adrián Colunga will manage Mallorca's Juvenil B] (in Spanish). Fútbol Juvenil. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Pilotades | Adrián Colunga dirigirá al San Francisco juvenil División Honor" [Short ones | Adrián Colunga will manage San Francisco youths in Honour Division]. Diario de Mallorca (in Spanish). 25 July 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  29. ^ "Adrián Colunga dirigirá al Juvenil A de División de Honor" [Adrián Colunga will manage the Juvenil A of Honour Division] (in Spanish). Real Murcia CF. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  30. ^ "Adrián Colunga da el salto a los banquillos de la Primera eslovaca" [Adrián Colunga makes the leap to the benches of the Slovak top tier]. El Comercio (in Spanish). 20 February 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  31. ^ "Adrián Colunga, nuevo entrenador del Real Murcia Imperial" [Adrián Colunga, new manager of Real Murcia Imperial] (in Spanish). Real Murcia CF. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Adrián Colunga dirige la sesión de entrenamiento del primer equipo en Pinatar Arena" [Adrián Colunga in charge of the first-team training session at Pinatar Arena] (in Spanish). Real Murcia CF. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  33. ^ Fernández, Víctor (7 November 2025). "Tras ser despedido, Etxeberria entra en conflicto con el Real Murcia" [Following his dismissal, Etxeberria clashes with Real Murcia]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  34. ^ "Adrián Colunga estará acompañado de Rafa López y Santos Valero en el primer equipo del Real Murcia" [Adrián Colunga will be joined by Rafa López and Santos Valero in the first team of Real Murcia] (in Spanish). Real Murcia CF. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Adrián Colunga at BDFutbol
  36. ^ a b "Adrián Colunga: Adrián Colunga Pérez". BDFutbol. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Games played by Adrián Colunga in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  38. ^ a b Adrián Colunga at Soccerway
  39. ^ "Murcia B: Matches". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  40. ^ "Matches Adrián Colunga, 2025–26 season". BDFutbol. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
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