Player Profile #4

By Oli
February 21 2009

4. Miguel Angel Llera

Position: Defender

Date of Birth: 07/08/1979

Nationality: Spanish

Previous clubs: Recreativo, San Fernando (loan), Alicante, Gimnastic, Hercules

Giant Spanish defender Llera signed for the Dons on a free transfer on deadline day in August 2008.

Sevilla-born Miguel arrived with some pedigree, having spent the previous season at Spanish second tier side Hercules, and before that having made 12 appearances for Gimnastic in La Liga. In those 12 matches he faced Sevilla and Real Madrid sides featuring the likes of Freddy Kanoute, Luis Fabiano, Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robinho, as well as contributing to a clean sheet against an Atletico Madrid side that included Fernando Torres.

Miguel's form has been mixed since his arrival in Milton Keynes; after a shaky start, he turned in some genuinely top-class performances, but is still maybe lacking consistency. A menace in the air, he gets in the way of most potential problems but his distribution occasionally disappoints.

The 29-year old's one-year deal is expected to be extended for a further season by Roberto Di Matteo, keeping him in Milton Keynes until June 2010.