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Name: Aarón Ñíguez Esclápez
Birth Date: 26 April 1989
Birth Place: Elche, Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 1.70 m (5'7'')
Weight: 69 kg (152 lbs)
Position: Left Winger, Right Winger, Withdrawn Striker
Current Club: Recreativo Huelva (One year loan, no option to buy)
Contract Expires: 30 June 2012
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Aarón Ñíguez Esclápez, or Aarón, is a midfielder/striker who has very good pace, excellent dribbling ability, and he isn't afraid to use either foot. He started playing football as a kid in his hometown of Elche, where he played for a local team. At the age of 11 he joined Valencia's youth academy. At the age of 14, Aarón drew interest from Chelsea and Barcelona, but he turned both down to stay with Valencia.
Aarón made his first team debut at the age of 17 against AS Roma, in the UEFA Champions League. He came on as a substitute and played 27 minutes in the 1–0 away defeat. Aarón has never made an appearance with Los Che's first team in La Liga. His debut against Roma is his only competitive match with VCF.
Xerez CD
Aarón started the 2007/2008 season on loan with second division side Xerez CD. He didn't get much playing time there however (8 appearances, 3 starts).
Iraklis FC
Aarón then switched clubs in the January transfer window. He went to Iraklis FC in Greece. He scored his first goal for Iraklis on March 16, 2008, with a penalty kick, in a 1–0 win against Panionios FC, after his acrobatic bicycle kick was blocked by a hand.
Rangers FC
On 13 August 2008, Aarón joined Scottish Premier League club Rangers FC on a two year loan deal with an option to buy.
Aarón made his Rangers debut in the 7-1 win over Hamilton Academical on the 6 December 2008. Coming on as a second half substitute, he immediately created a goal for Spanish compatriot Nacho Novo. He scored his first competitive goal for Rangers in a Scottish Cup tie against Forfar, and was booked for removing his shirt in celebration. Aarón scored his second goal also in the Cup, against Hamilton from the penalty spot, in what was his first start for the club.
On 7 June 2009, it was announced that the two year loan would be terminated and Ñíguez would return to Valencia on 30 June. However on 2 July, he rejected the contract offered by Valencia and returned to Scotland to finish the original deal. When asked about it, Aarón said, "Valencia wanted me to go back to play for them this season but I was keen to come back to Rangers".
Celta Vigo
On 30 August 2009, Valencia loaned the winger to Celta Vigo for one season, meaning he would not complete his two seasons on loan at Rangers.
Ñíguez would spend much of the year out injured, after tearing knee ligaments in a Copa del Rey match against Tenerife.
International Career
Aarón played in the 2006 European Championship for Spain's U-17, finishing as the 4th top scorer in the tournament with two goals. He was also a key member of the U-19 side that won the following year's European Championship, beating Greece in the final.
Ñíguez made his debut for the U21s on 18 November 2008, in a 1–4 friendly loss to Portugal.
Aarón has played for Spain at the U-17, U-19, U-20, and U-21 level, but has never appeared in the senior squad.
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