Last update 5 September, 2024 por Alberto Llopis
How many footballers have played for Sporting and Oviedo? Well until now, half a thousand. Asturian football has been marked by the rivalry between two great teams: Real Sporting de Gijón and Real Oviedo. This historic rivalry has left great moments and characters in Spanish football. Over the years, Some footballers have had the distinction of wearing both shirts, despite the intensity of the Asturian derby.
In the midst of this rivalry, Some players have had the unique experience of defending both jerseys throughout their careers.. These footballers, conocidos como “spoviedistas”, They have crossed the dividing line between the two Asturian clubs, often generating controversy. Let's review some of them.
Footballers who have played for Sporting and Oviedo
Haissem Hassan y Jonathan Dubasin: The last to join
In the summer of 2024, Haissem Hassan y Jonathan Dubasin became the new protagonists of this historic crossing. The Franco-Egyptian and the Spanish-Belgian exchanged shirts in the middle of what was no big controversy between fans..
Adding up like this, to a long list of players who have played for both Sporting and Oviedo. Hassan, who played on loan last season at Oviedo, Now he defends the red and white colors of Sporting, while Dubasin, who was at Sporting, has become part of the ranks of Oviedo. These movements are not new, but they always generate some controversy in such a marked rivalry.
A phenomenon with history: The first changes
Although the exchange of Hassan and Dubasin has been much commented, This type of transfer between the two Asturian giants is not a recent phenomenon. You have to go back to 1930 to find the first documented exchange between Real Oviedo and Sporting. In that season, Abdon Garcia He became part of Sporting, while Chus Rodríguez did the reverse trip, joining Oviedo. This was just the beginning of a story that would continue with many more players over the years..
In 1943, Another notable exchange took place between two important names in Asturian football: Diaz, who left Sporting to join Oviedo, y Cholo Dindurra, a Sporting legend, who returned to Gijón after a season playing in Oviedo.
iconic figures: Herrerita and Uría
Among the many footballers who have played for both teams, two names stand out for their historical relevance: Herrerita y Javier Uria.
Eduardo Herrera, known as Herrerita, He is one of the most legendary forwards in Asturian football.. Born in Gijon, He began his career at Sporting between 1931 y 1933, but it was at Real Oviedo where he really established himself as a figure, playing between 1933 y 1950. Despite his success at Oviedo, he finished his career in The Molinón in 1951, closing a cycle in his hometown club.
Javier Uria He also left his mark on both teams. He began his career at Oviedo in 1972, where he played until 1974, and then join Sporting between 1977 y 1983, where he retired. Throughout his career, Uría demonstrated his versatility, playing as left winger for Oviedo, defense at Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team, and finally as a midfielder at Sporting.
Other players and coaches who crossed the border
In addition to the cases of Herrerita and Uría, Other players who have worn both jerseys include names such as Biempica, Montes, Lombardy, They y Ivan Iglesias. The latter is especially remembered for having played on loan at Sporting for FC Barcelona in the winter of 1996, only to be transferred to Real Oviedo a few months later for a few 100 million pesetas.
Regarding the coaches, There are also several names who have coached both teams. Among them stand out Manolo Meana, José María Peña, Abel Picabea, Vicente Miera y Ramiro Solis. Vicente Miera He is perhaps the most emblematic technician on this list, since he was responsible for promoting both Oviedo and Sporting to the First Division and leading one of the best periods of the Gijón team.
The Asturian derby and the connection between both rivals
Although the fierce rivalry that exists between Real Sporting and Real Oviedo, The history of both clubs is interconnected by the players and coaches who have had the opportunity to be part of both teams. These “spoviedistas” representan no solo un puente entre dos grandes clubes, but also the impact that a single player can have on both sides of one of the most passionate rivalries in Spanish football..