LaLiga and Colombia, a rewarding connection

Malaga CF's trip to Santiago de Cali, where they will face Deportivo Cali in the LFP World Challenge Tour, writes a new chapter in the extensive and beneficial relationship which has existed for many years between LaLiga and Colombia.

Indeed, it was a player who was born in Cali and played for Malaga who initially paved the way. Albeiro Usuriaga, better known in the football world as 'El Palomo', became the first Colombian footballer in the history of the Liga BBVA in 1989.

It was the early '90s, thanks to the arrival of Francisco Maturana as coach of Real Valladolid CF, when the big names of Colombian football began arriving in Spain. As a result, the 'pucelano' team acquired the services of the legendary goalkeeper Rene Higuita along with midfielders Carlos Valderrama and Leonel Alvarez. Indeed, the Valladolid side have maintained this focus in recent years with Colombian players such as Harold Lozano, Edwin Congo, Humberto Osorio, Giberto Garcia and Johan Mojica.

What became of René Higuita? Former @realvalladolid goalkeeper http://t.co/x7fwLUOENm pic.twitter.com/w1IE0AXNNk

— LaLiga (@LaLiga) June 11, 2015

In addition to Higuita, a couple of other great goalkeepers have also made the transition to the Liga. For example Carlos Navarro Montoya, who performed for CF Extremadura and CD Tenerife, along with Faryd Mondragon, who joined R. Zaragoza in 1999.

Atletico Madrid is another of the clubs with a tradition of Colombian footballers in recent years. Although Adolfo Valencia was actually the first to don the shirt of the 'Manzanares', it was Luis Amaranto Perea who really embodied an era between 2004 and 2012. From 2011 to 2013 of course, it was the striker Radamel Falcao who made his mark with his incredible eye for goal, helping the team to win the Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup.

Players such as Jeison Murillo and Carlos Bacca also left their mark, while youngsters such as John Cordoba hope to write their own story. The arrival of James Rodriguez at Real Madrid CF last summer marked the possible beginning of another era, with the South American number 10 scoring 13 goals in his first season. As if that was not enough, the Cucata born player also won the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup and was one of last season’s most impressive midfielders.