Álex Sánchez (footballer, born 1989)

Alejandro 'Álex' Sánchez López (born 6 June 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for I-League club Gokulam Kerala.

He came to fame in 2009, when he became the first player to appear in a professional game with just one hand whilst representing Real Zaragoza.

Club career
Born in Zaragoza, Aragon, Sánchez started his football career with local Colegio Jesús-María El Salvador, joining Real Zaragoza's youth system aged 15. In 2008, he began playing as a senior in both the national and regional leagues, with its B and C teams.

On 8 November 2009, Sánchez made his professional debut for the club, playing 20 minutes in the 3–1 La Liga away loss against Valencia CF after having come on as a substitute for Ángel Lafita. He became the first player to appear in a professional game with only one hand, but continued to be mainly registered with the reserves, however.

Sánchez rejected the offer to continue playing with Zaragoza B in mid-June 2011, going on to resume his career in the Segunda División B with CD Teruel and CD Tudelano. On 2 July 2015, after scoring 15 goals the previous campaign, he signed a two-year deal with Segunda División side CA Osasuna.

In January 2018, after representing in quick succession Tudelano (two spells) and Osasuna's second team, the 28-year-old Sánchez moved abroad for the first time and joined Sydney Olympic FC in the Australian National Premier Leagues NSW.

Sánchez subsequently competed in the Spanish lower leagues, with Tudelano, SD Ejea and Utebo FC. He went abroad again in July 2023, signing for I-League club Gokulam Kerala FC. On 5 November, he scored twice in a 4–1 home win over NEROCA FC. He added a hat-trick four days later, as the hosts defeated Rajasthan United FC 5–0.

Honours
Individual
 * I-League top scorer: 2023–24 (19 goals)