Atlético Madrid[edit]
Born in Madrid, De Gea joined Atlético Madrid at the age of 10, and made his way up through the youth ranks at the club. He spent his second season for Atlético Madrid B in Segunda División B. With first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo away on international duty at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, De Gea was called up to the senior side as cover for Roberto. He made his debut for the Atlético first-team at the age of 18 on 30 September 2009, coming on as a substitute after Roberto was injured after 27 minutes of Atlético's UEFA Champions League Group Stage match away to FC Porto; De Gea conceded two late goals as Atlético lost 2–0.[3]
Roberto's injury meant that De Gea was given his La Liga debut three days later, at home to Real Zaragoza; he gave away a penalty kick in the 19th minute, but immediately redeemed himself by saving Marko Babić's attempt in an eventual 2–1 win.[3] After some costly mistakes by Asenjo, and the arrival of Quique Flores as manager, De Gea finished the 2009–10 season as the starting "number one". He won two man of the match awards along the way,[4] against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia CF. Additionally, he appeared in eight games in the club's victorious UEFA Europa League campaign, including the 2–1 final win against Fulham.[5]
De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the season's UEFA Super Cup. In the 90th minute of the 2–0 win against Internazionale, he saved a Diego Milito penalty kick.[6] He remained the undisputed starting goalkeeper for the remainder of the season, going on to play in every La Liga game for the team en route to a seventh place finish.