Roberto Corbin

Roberto Corbin (born 19 April 1953) is a Panamanian former professional footballer who is known for being the first Panamanian player to play in Europe when he joined Swiss club Etoile Espagnole in 1979.^[1] In April 2019, however, Panamanian newspaper La Prensa reported another Panamanian footballer, Federico Ponce, had played in Spain at amateur level a year earlier.^[2]

Roberto Corbin

Personal information
Date of birth	(1953-04-19) 19 April 1953 (age 72)
Place of birth	El Chorrillo, Panama
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1978–1979	Atletico Panama
1979–1981	Etoile Espagnole
1981–1984	Urania Genève
1985–1989	Tauro
International career
	Panama U20
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Corbin worked for Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^{[citation needed]}

Club career

Corbin started his soccer career in Panama with Atletico Panama in 1978.^[3] In October 1979 he moved to Switzerland by recommendation of Peruvian coach Luis Bidú.^[2] After trialling with first-tier side CS Chênois for a week, he settled for Etoile Espagnole of the second-tier Swiss Challenge League where he stayed for two years.^[2] He joined Urania Genève of the Third Division where he played until 1984.^[2]

He returned to Panama in 1985 to play with Tauro in the opening championships of ANAPROF, where they were crowned on 1989.^[3]

International career

Corbin played for the Panama U20 national team participating in a national under-20 championship where he became lead striker with 29 goals in 1971.^[3]