Israel Puerto Pineda (born 15 June 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Polish club Stal Mielec.
Born in El Viso del Alcor, Province of Seville, Andalusia, Puerto joined Sevilla FC's youth system at the age of 12. Four years later, he almost quit football due to a cardiovascular disease from which he eventually recovered fully.
Puerto spent his first seasons as a senior with the reserve team, competing in the Segunda División B. On 10 March 2013, he scored a brace against Arroyo CP in a 3âÂÂ0 home win, and, on 28 April, he made his official debut with the main squad, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute for José Antonio Reyes in the 1âÂÂ1 La Liga draw at Real Valladolid.
On 2 July 2014, Puerto moved to another reserve side, Villarreal CF B also of the third division. He made his debut with the first team on 4 December, starting a 2âÂÂ1 away victory over Cádiz CF in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey.
On 4 March 2015, Puerto was transferred to Segunda División club CD Lugo, signing a -year deal as a replacement for injured Jon GarcÃÂa. In his debut, three days later, he scored his first professional goal, netting his team's first in the 3âÂÂ2 home win over FC Barcelona B.
Puerto then returned to the Spanish third tier, representing in quick succession Racing de Santander, CD Mirandés and Recreativo de Huelva. The 26-year-old moved abroad for the first time in June 2019, signing with à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw of the Polish Ekstraklasa. He scored his first top-flight goal on 28 June 2020, equalising an eventual 2âÂÂ2 home draw with Lech Poznaà Â.
Puerto continued competing abroad the following seasons, with Jagiellonia Biaà Âystok (Polish top division), Al-Jabalain FC (Saudi First Division League), FC Gloria BuzÃÂu (Romanian Liga I) and Stal Mielec (Poland's I liga).
Puerto won his only cap for the Spain under-21 team on 9 September 2014, playing 54 minutes in the 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Austria for the 2015 UEFA European Championship qualifiers held in Puertollano.
Sevilla
à Âlàsk Wrocà Âaw II
Spain U17