Diego Bardanca

Diego Bardanca Flórez (born 20 March 1993) is a professional footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee. Born in Spain, he represents the Philippines national team.

Club career
Born in León, Bardanca started his career with Galician side Deportivo La Coruña, before moving to Real Valladolid, where he spent time with the club's 'B' team and was tipped as a promising young player.

SJK
After spending time with various other Spanish lower division sides,  Bardanca joined Finnish side Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho in 2017.

Bytovia Bytów
In 2019, Bardanca signed a six-month contract with I liga club Bytovia Bytów.

Inđija
On 20 July 2019, he signed a contract with Serbian side Inđija. He was released at the end of 2019. His only appearance for the club was a two-minute cameo in a round of 32 fixture in the 2019–20 Serbian Cup.

Gorica
On 6 February 2020, he signed for Gorica until the end of the 2019–20 season. In August 2020, he extended his contract until the end of the 2020–21 season.

Puszcza Niepołomice
On 23 July 2021, he returned to Poland and signed with I liga side Puszcza Niepołomice on a one-year deal. He left the club by mutual consent on 2 November 2021.

Buriram United
In February 2022, he joined Thai League 1 club Buriram United.

Kitchee
On 5 July 2024, Bardanca joined Hong Kong Premier League club Kitchee.

International career
Bardanca is eligible to represent Spain at international level, and is also eligible to play for the Philippines due to his grandmother being born in the country.

Philippines
In 2019, it was reported that Bardanca received an invitation to train with the Philippines.

In June 2019, Bardanca received his first call-up for the Philippines in a friendly against China, but eventually did not take part due to eligibility constraints.

Bardanca was included in the 25-man squad of the Philippines for 2022 FAS Tri-Nations Series.

He debuted in a 2–0 friendly loss to Malaysia on 23 March 2022.