José Barkero

José Javier Barkero Saludes is a Spanish midfielder playing for Levante.

He started his career at Real Sociedad and first took the pitch as a part of the 1998/99 squad. José used to perform for them during eight seasons with a few intervals when he was sent on loan to Toulouse (2000, 3 appearances, no goals), Eibar (2001/02, 41 appearances, 6 goals) and Polideportivo Ejido (2004, 20 appearances, no goals). All in all Barkero took part in 62 games with 6 goals for Real Sociedad.

The next club in his career was a second-division Albacete Balompié which he joined in 2006/07. Barkero enjoyed his firm position in the starting eleven during the two seasons he spent with the club. The footballer managed to make 66 appearances and score 13 times.

José Barkero was one of those to join Numancia during the summer of 2008 as the club earned promotion to the top flight. The first goal for the side came on September 14 as he scored a spectacular long-distance goal in a match against Real Madrid. In total he scored 12 times during the whole season and was recognized the team’s best goal scorer. However he didn’t manage to save Numancia from relegation as they found themselves second from bottom by the end of the season.

The player spent his next campaign delivering good football (he scored 15 times during the whole season 2010/11) but it wasn’t enough for Numancia to get promoted. Aged 32 he returned to the Primera for the season 2011/12 signing a 2-year deal with Levante UD. He spent his first campaign for the new club quite successfully as he took the pitch 32 times and netted 7 goals through the season.