Nacho (footballer, born 1989)

For other footballers with the same nickname, see Nacho (disambiguation).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is García.

José Ignacio Martínez García (born 7 March 1989), known as Nacho, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Segunda División club Cartagena.

Nacho

Nacho with Valladolid in 2019
Personal information
Full name	José Ignacio Martínez García[1]
Date of birth	(1989-03-07) 7 March 1989 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth	Madrid, Spain
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)[1]
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Cartagena
Number	20
Youth career
	Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2009	Alcobendas Sport	34	(4)
2009–2011	Osasuna B	60	(0)
2011–2012	Getafe B	32	(3)
2012–2013	Rayo Vallecano B	18	(2)
2012–2017	Rayo Vallecano	79	(1)
2017–2022	Valladolid	133	(3)
2022–2024	Tenerife	67	(3)
2025–	Cartagena	14	(2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 25 June 2025

Club career

Rayo Vallecano

Born in Madrid, Nacho played lower league and amateur football in his first three years as a senior, representing Fútbol Alcobendas Sport, CA Osasuna B and Getafe CF B. In summer 2012 he signed with another club from Segunda División B, Rayo Vallecano's reserves.^[2]

Nacho made his official debut with Rayo's first team on 31 October 2012, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away loss against UD Las Palmas in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey.^[3] He first appeared in La Liga on 24 November (again as a starter), in the 2–0 home win over RCD Mallorca.^[4]

Nacho scored his first goal as a professional on 20 December 2012, netting from 30 metres for his team's second in a 3–0 league victory against Levante UD.^[5] On 31 May 2013, after contributing ten matches to his team's top-flight permanence, he was definitely promoted to the main squad with a contract running until June 2015.^[6]

Valladolid

On 6 July 2017, after five full seasons with Rayo, Nacho joined Real Valladolid of Segunda División on a two-year deal.^[7] He made 22 appearances in his debut campaign (21 starts, play-offs included), in a promotion after a fifth-place finish.^[2]

Nacho and his side again ascended to the top tier at the end of 2021–22, with 34 games and two goals from the player.^[8]

Later career

On 13 July 2022, the free agent Nacho agreed to a two-year contract with CD Tenerife.^[9] On 8 February 2025, the 35-year-old signed for FC Cartagena also in the second division.^[10]