Jonathan Pereira (footballer)

Jonathan Pereira Rodríguez (born 12 May 1987), sometimes known simply as Jonathan, is a Spanish retired footballer. A forward, his main asset was his incredible speed.

Club career
Pereira was born in Vigo, Province of Pontevedra. After having completed his footballing education at Villarreal CF, he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut against Levante UD on 21 October 2006: he entered the pitch with 25 minutes to go and scored after only two minutes on the field, going on to total four league appearances throughout the season.

For 2007–08, Pereira was loaned to Segunda División club Racing de Ferrol, and finished the season at 11 goals, although the Galician team would be relegated. He returned to Villarreal in July 2008 and had his contract extended until 2013, being immediately loaned for the campaign to fellow top-flight side Racing de Santander. On 13 September, he scored a 77th-minute equaliser at the Camp Nou in a 1–1 draw with FC Barcelona; mainly used from the bench, he totalled eight goals in 41 matches (adding two in the UEFA Cup).

Pereira returned to Villarreal subsequently but, despite netting seven goals in a preseason friendly, he was very rarely used during the first months of 2009–10. In mid-January 2010, he left for second-tier Real Betis on a five-year deal, scoring in his debut on the 31st, the game's only at Andalusia neighbours Córdoba CF.

On 10 December 2012, Pereira returned to the Yellow Submarine, contributing four goals from 30 appearances in the second season in his second spell to help the team to finish in sixth position straight out of division two and qualify for the UEFA Europa League. On 5 August 2014 he moved to Rayo Vallecano for the season but, in the next transfer window, joined Real Valladolid also on loan.

After being released by Villarreal, Pereira went on to represent, always in the second division, CD Lugo, Real Oviedo and AD Alcorcón. On 28 July 2019, he signed a two-contract with Gimnàstic de Tarragona, recently relegated to Segunda División B.

Pereira terminated his contract with Nàstic on 1 February 2021, after failing to feature a single minute for the club in 2020–21 due to a hip injury. After this he retired from professional football and joined his childhood club Santa Mariña first as a coach for two years and later as team coordinator.

Honours
Betis
 * Segunda División: 2010–11