The Lowdown: Maxi Gómez

Maxi Gómez joins Valencia CF after two seasons in LaLiga with Celta Vigo, for whom he scored 31 goals in 75 games. A Uruguayan international, the 22-year old participated in this year's Copa America and the 2018 World Cup in Russia representing his country.

Born in Paysandú (Uruguay), he is the youngest of five siblings, and a lifelong football fan. He began playing ‘baby fútbol’ at Atlético Litoral de Paysandú and Estudiantil Sanducero FC, before moving to Huracán FC as he adapted to full-size pitches. Gómez returned to Atlético Litoral after two seasons, and was then signed by Defensor Sporting de Montevideo at the age of 17.

Initially playing for the Under-17s and Under-19s, he partook in preseason for the first team and made his full debut with a 2-minute cameo on September 16th 2015, in the Copa Sudamericana against Peruvian side Universitario de Deportes (0-1).

One of the breakout games for the Uruguayan star came just a fortnight later, on October 2nd 2015, when Defensor Sporting de Montevideo played in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana Last 16. He scored a vital penalty in the shootout to decide who would reach the quarter finals.

A tally of 15 goals from 27 games for Gómez helped his club to win the Apertura stage of the domestic season, and attracted the interest of Celta Vigo. He moved to Galicia for the 2017/18 season, scoring 18 goals. In the last campaign, hefound the net on 13 occasions.

Maxi Gómez now has a new challenge ahead, as he looks to continue his goalscoring exploits at Mestalla and beyond for Valencia CF.