Javier Matilla
Midfielder
Born in Toledo, Matilla made 161 appearances in Spain’s top two divisions plus nine appearances in the UEFA Europa League between his time with Villarreal, Real Betis, Real Murcia, and Elche before leaving his home country for Greece, signing for Aris and quickly becoming a key figure at the club.
Over four seasons from 2018/19 to 2021/22, Matilla would make 118 total appearances with seven goals and nine assists to help Aris make a historic run in Super League 1 with two fifth-place finishes followed by two third-place finishes, the latter two being the club’s best finishes in the league since 1979/80. In that time, Matilla would make seven total appearances in qualification for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
After leaving Aris and spending the first half of the 2022/23 season with Super League 1 club Volos, Matilla joined AKFC in January 2023.