Luis Helguera

Spanish footballer

Luis Helguera Bujía (born 9 June 1976) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a midfielder.

Helguera was born in Ferrol, Galicia, his mother's hometown, but spent his entire upbringing in Santander, Cantabria, where he played in the youth system at Racing Club. After beginning his senior career with lowly CD Manchego he moved to Real Zaragoza, where he featured mostly for the reserves and appeared sporadically in La Liga over three seasons (his most games being 16 in 1999–2000, as the Aragon side finished fourth). After his older brother, Iván, had played one season at AS Roma, Helguera also moved to Italy, representing Udinese Calcio for two years with a Deportivo Alavés loan in between. He spent a further five campaigns in that country, mostly in Serie B and latterly for Vicenza Calcio, returning in 2008 to his homeland to sign for SD Huesca, newcomers to Segunda División. Helguera rarely missed a game for the club during his spell, helping them to retain their second tier status for four years. In 2010–11 he also collected a 20 yellow cards in 37 matches, the highest total in the division. He retired in June 2013 at the age of 37 following relegation, amassing totals of 185 appearances and eight goals over the course of five seasons. He stepped down from that role the following March after the manager was dismissed, but remained at the club in other capacities. On 6 August 2015, Helguera was named UD Las Palmas' technical secretary. He resigned from the position in April 2018, following their top flight relegation. Helguera joined Levante UD in a similar role on 21 May 2018. Roughly one year later, he left the Estadi Ciutat de València. On 2 March 2020, Helguera returned to Las Palmas, this time as sporting director; he signed a contract until June 2023.

Helguera was the younger brother of former Real Madrid, Valencia and Spain defender Iván Helguera. Both played abroad in Italy.