{"id":279099,"first_name":"Héctor Júnior","last_name":"Firpo Adamés","short_name":"Júnior Firpo","common_name":"Júnior Firpo","place_of_birth":"Santo Domingo","gender":"male","height":184,"weight":78,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T11:49:43.267Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:06:50.650Z","locale":"en","age":28,"stb_id":"junior-firpo","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Júnior Firpo","top_position":null,"introduction":"Héctor Junior Firpo Adames, commonly known as Junior Firpo, is a professional footballer who has made significant strides in the sport as a versatile defender. Born in the Dominican Republic, he currently represents the EFL Championship club Leeds United and the Dominican Republic national team after having previously represented Spain at the under-21 level. His career has been marked by important achievements with clubs like Real Betis and FC Barcelona, where he won notable titles, including the Copa del Rey.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nJunior Firpo was born on 22 August 1996 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At the age of six, he relocated with his family to Benalmádena, Málaga in Andalusia, Spain. Growing up in Spain significantly influenced his early interests in football, where he developed his passion and skills in the game despite originally being from another country.\n\n## Youth Career\nFirpo's youth career began at Puerto Malagueño, where he honed his skills before joining the Real Betis youth academy in June 2014 at the age of eighteen. His development at Real Betis was a crucial phase, as he transitioned from youth football to the senior level, making his debut for the B team in February 2015. Firpo's capabilities were recognized early, and he was promoted to the reserve team, where he became a regular player in the 2015-16 season, though the team faced relegation that year.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Real Betis\nJunior Firpo began his senior club career at Real Betis, where he made his mark in the B team before earning a spot in the first team. He made his La Liga debut on 12 February 2018, becoming the first player from the Dominican Republic to play in Spain's top division. His performances were strong enough to secure a contract extension until 2023.\n\n### Barcelona\nIn August 2019, Firpo transferred to FC Barcelona in a deal worth €18 million, with additional performance-related add-ons. He scored his first goal for Barcelona against Getafe in September 2019 and made his UEFA Champions League debut in November that year.\n\n### Leeds United\nIn July 2021, Firpo joined Leeds United, signing a contract for four years with a €15 million transfer fee. He became the first Dominican player in the Premier League and scored his first goal for Leeds in January 2023 during an FA Cup match.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nFirpo's international journey began with Spain, where he was called for the U21 team and participated in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, playing against countries like Albania.\n\n### Senior National Team\nDespite debuting for the Dominican Republic in a non-FIFA match back in 2015, Firpo committed to representing the Dominican national team again in 2024, making his official senior debut in a friendly against Aruba in March 2024.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nJunior Firpo is primarily a left-back but is versatile enough to play as a center-back. His technical skills include solid defensive abilities combined with a capacity to assist in offensive plays. He possesses notable physical attributes that suit his roles on the pitch, showcasing a tactical understanding of both defensive and transitional play.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, Firpo has played numerous matches across different leagues, scoring important goals such as his first Premier League goal for Leeds United in February 2023. His statistics include consistent appearances and contributions in terms of assists and defensive actions.\n\n## Records\nJunior Firpo holds the distinction of being the first Dominican Republic-born footballer to play in Spain's La Liga and the English Premier League.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Copa del Rey: 2020–21 with Barcelona\n- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2019 with Spain U21\n\n### Individual Achievements\nWhile individual awards are not listed, Firpo's career has been marked by breaking new ground for players from the Dominican Republic in major European leagues.\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nJunior Firpo's significant contributions to his clubs and his pioneering role as a Dominican footballer in La Liga and the Premier League have earned him recognition.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nJunior Firpo's career is underscored by his versatility and ability to adapt to different top-tier football leagues. His journey from the Dominican Republic to Spain and eventually to England highlights his growth and impact as a professional footballer.\n\n## Off the Field\nThere is no specific information about Firpo's commercial activities, charity involvement, or public image in the provided document.\n\n## Personal Life\nAlthough details about Firpo's personal life are not provided in the source, his dual citizenship reflects his bicultural background, which influences his professional choices and affiliation with national teams.","stb_internal_id":"01930675-7c0a-71fb-9024-8aee1d64c23a","overrides":null,"type_code":null,"position_type_code":null,"detailed_position_type_code":null,"roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Héctor Junior Firpo Adames, commonly known as Junior Firpo, is a professional footballer who has made significant strides in the sport as a versatile defender. Born in the Dominican Republic, he currently represents the EFL Championship club Leeds United and the Dominican Republic national team after having previously represented Spain at the under-21 level. His career has been marked by important achievements with clubs like Real Betis and FC Barcelona, where he won notable titles, including the Copa del Rey.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Junior Firpo was born on 22 August 1996 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At the age of six, he relocated with his family to Benalmádena, Málaga in Andalusia, Spain. Growing up in Spain significantly influenced his early interests in football, where he developed his passion and skills in the game despite originally being from another country.

Youth Career

Firpo's youth career began at Puerto Malagueño, where he honed his skills before joining the Real Betis youth academy in June 2014 at the age of eighteen. His development at Real Betis was a crucial phase, as he transitioned from youth football to the senior level, making his debut for the B team in February 2015. Firpo's capabilities were recognized early, and he was promoted to the reserve team, where he became a regular player in the 2015-16 season, though the team faced relegation that year.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Real Betis

Junior Firpo began his senior club career at Real Betis, where he made his mark in the B team before earning a spot in the first team. He made his La Liga debut on 12 February 2018, becoming the first player from the Dominican Republic to play in Spain's top division. His performances were strong enough to secure a contract extension until 2023.

Barcelona

In August 2019, Firpo transferred to FC Barcelona in a deal worth €18 million, with additional performance-related add-ons. He scored his first goal for Barcelona against Getafe in September 2019 and made his UEFA Champions League debut in November that year.

Leeds United

In July 2021, Firpo joined Leeds United, signing a contract for four years with a €15 million transfer fee. He became the first Dominican player in the Premier League and scored his first goal for Leeds in January 2023 during an FA Cup match.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Firpo's international journey began with Spain, where he was called for the U21 team and participated in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, playing against countries like Albania.

Senior National Team

Despite debuting for the Dominican Republic in a non-FIFA match back in 2015, Firpo committed to representing the Dominican national team again in 2024, making his official senior debut in a friendly against Aruba in March 2024.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Junior Firpo is primarily a left-back but is versatile enough to play as a center-back. His technical skills include solid defensive abilities combined with a capacity to assist in offensive plays. He possesses notable physical attributes that suit his roles on the pitch, showcasing a tactical understanding of both defensive and transitional play.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, Firpo has played numerous matches across different leagues, scoring important goals such as his first Premier League goal for Leeds United in February 2023. His statistics include consistent appearances and contributions in terms of assists and defensive actions.

Records

Junior Firpo holds the distinction of being the first Dominican Republic-born footballer to play in Spain's La Liga and the English Premier League.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Copa del Rey: 2020–21 with Barcelona
UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2019 with Spain U21

Individual Achievements

While individual awards are not listed, Firpo's career has been marked by breaking new ground for players from the Dominican Republic in major European leagues.

Awards and Recognition

Junior Firpo's significant contributions to his clubs and his pioneering role as a Dominican footballer in La Liga and the Premier League have earned him recognition.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Junior Firpo's career is underscored by his versatility and ability to adapt to different top-tier football leagues. His journey from the Dominican Republic to Spain and eventually to England highlights his growth and impact as a professional footballer.

Off the Field

There is no specific information about Firpo's commercial activities, charity involvement, or public image in the provided document.

Personal Life

Although details about Firpo's personal life are not provided in the source, his dual citizenship reflects his bicultural background, which influences his professional choices and affiliation with national teams.

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Júnior Firpo: Career