Biodata David de Gea

1990:
Born in Madrid on November 7.

2007:
Helps Spain to victory in the 2007 Under-17 European Championship, and then to a runners-up spot in the Under-17 World Cup.

2008:
Spends his first professional season with the Atletico Madrid reserves, in the Segunda Division B.

2009:
September - De Gea makes his senior Atletico debut as a substitute in the Champions League against Porto, coming on for the injured Roberto.

October: Starts his first Primera Division match at home to Real Zaragoza. In the first 20 minutes he gives away a penalty but then saves the spot-kick.

2010:
Towards the end of the 2009-10 season he becomes the first-choice goalkeeper under new coach Quique Sanchez Flores, twice earning man-of-the-match awards towards the end of the season.
May - Plays in the Europa League final victory over Fulham in Hamburg. Named in Vicente Del Bosque's 30-man provisional World Cup squad but does not make the final squad.
August - Helps Atletico win the European Super Cup in a 2-0 victory over Inter Milan, saving a penalty during the game.

2011:
May - Ends the season as an ever-present in La Liga for Atletico. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims that the clubs are close to completing a deal to sign De Gea, though De Gea denies the claims. Included in Spain's 23-man under-21 squad for the European Championship in Denmark.
June 25 - Wins European Under-21 Championship as Spain beat Switzerland 2-0 in the final in Aarhus.