Nacho Gil
Ignacio "Nacho" Gil de Pareja Vicent (born 9 September 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left winger for CD Tenerife in Spain's Primera Federación.[1][2] Standing at 1.70 meters tall and right-footed, Gil is known for his versatility, capable of playing on either wing or as an attacking midfielder.[3] He is the younger brother of Carles Gil, a fellow professional footballer and captain of the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.[4] Gil began his career in Valencia CF's youth academy, progressing to the reserve team Valencia B in 2014, where he made 95 appearances and scored 16 goals over three seasons in the Tercera División.[4] He debuted for Valencia's first team in La Liga on 25 February 2017 against Deportivo Alavés, going on to make 8 appearances in La Liga for the club, primarily as a substitute, and recording one assist.[4] In the 2017–18 season, he was loaned to UD Las Palmas in La Liga, featuring in 14 matches with eight starts but no goals.[4] He was then loaned to Elche CF in the 2018–19 Segunda División, scoring two goals in 11 appearances.[4] Following his time at Valencia, Gil's career took him through several clubs in Spain's Segunda División. He signed permanently with SD Ponferradina in 2019–20, where he played 35 matches and contributed one goal and one assist.[4] From 2020 to 2022, he spent two seasons with FC Cartagena, accumulating 60 appearances, one goal, and two assists in the second tier.[4] In August 2022, Gil moved abroad to join the New England Revolution in MLS, where he made 24 league appearances over parts of three seasons (2022–2024), scoring one goal and providing three assists while starting 15 matches.[4] After a stint with Volos NFC in the Greek Super League from January to May 2025, he returned to Spain on a free transfer to CD Tenerife, signing a two-year contract until June 2027; as of November 2025, in the 2025–26 Primera Federación season, he has made 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals and adding 2 assists.[5][6]Early life and youth career
Family and background
Ignacio Gil de Pareja Vicent, commonly known as Nacho Gil, was born on 9 September 1995 in Valencia, Spain.[7] Gil comes from a football-focused family, notably as the younger brother of Carles Gil, a professional attacking midfielder who captains New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.[8] This familial connection provided early exposure to the sport, with the brothers sharing a passion for football amid Valencia's vibrant club scene, particularly influenced by Valencia CF.[4] Physically, Gil stands at 1.70 meters tall and is right-footed, attributes that shaped his development as a versatile left winger during his youth.[1]Valencia youth system
Nacho Gil joined Valencia CF's youth academy in 2002 at the age of seven, beginning a formative period in his development as a footballer.[4] Over the subsequent 12 years, he progressed through the club's renowned youth system, primarily playing as a winger or attacking midfielder while cultivating technical proficiency, speed, and positional versatility.[4][9] His older brother Carles Gil had also emerged from the same academy.[9] In 2014, Gil earned promotion to Valencia's reserve side, Valencia B, ahead of the 2014–15 season in the Tercera División, marking his transition toward senior-level play.[4] He made his debut for Valencia B on January 5, 2014, accumulating essential competitive experience in Spain's lower divisions during his initial appearances.[4]Club career
Valencia CF
Nacho Gil signed his first professional contract with Valencia CF in 2014, transitioning from the club's youth academy to the B team in the Segunda División B.[10] Building on his development in the Valencia youth system, Gil earned promotion to the senior squad and made his first-team debut on 25 February 2017, entering as a late substitute in a 2–1 La Liga away defeat to Deportivo Alavés.[10] Over the 2017–2019 seasons, he accumulated 8 appearances for Valencia's first team in La Liga, recording 1 assist but no goals.[8][3] To gain more playing time amid intense competition in Valencia's star-studded midfield, Gil was loaned to UD Las Palmas in January 2018 for the remainder of the 2017–18 La Liga campaign, where he featured in 14 matches without scoring; the team was ultimately relegated to the Segunda División.[8][11] Gil's loan spell continued in August 2018 with Elche CF in the Segunda División, during which he made 11 appearances and scored 2 goals, aiding the side's competitive push for promotion before they finished 11th in the table.[10] These loans were part of Valencia's strategy to develop Gil further in competitive environments, given the depth of talent in their first-team roster that limited his opportunities.[10]SD Ponferradina
On 19 July 2019, Nacho Gil terminated his contract with Valencia CF and signed a two-year deal with Segunda División side SD Ponferradina on a free transfer.[5] He primarily played as a left winger during the 2019–20 season, making 34 league appearances with 31 starts, while recording 1 goal and 3 assists across 2,291 minutes.[12] Gil made his debut for Ponferradina on 17 August 2019, starting in a 3–1 away loss to CD Numancia in the season opener.[13] His sole goal came on 22 December 2019, during a 3–2 defeat at UD Almería, while his assists contributed to several draws, including a 1–1 result against CD Mirandés on 1 November 2019 and a 0–0 stalemate with CD Lugo on 8 March 2020. His prior loan spell at Elche CF in 2018–19 had prepared him for the consistent starting role he earned at Ponferradina.[5] Under manager Jon Pérez 'Bolo', Ponferradina achieved a mid-table finish, ending the interrupted 2019–20 Segunda División campaign in 18th place with 47 points from 42 matches, safely avoiding relegation amid the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the league. Gil also featured briefly in the Copa del Rey, playing 31 minutes in a first-round extra-time loss to Peña Deportiva on 19 December 2019.[12] Gil departed Ponferradina in August 2020, joining FC Cartagena on a free transfer after one season with the club.[14]FC Cartagena
On 18 August 2020, following FC Cartagena's promotion to the Segunda División, Nacho Gil signed a two-year contract with the club as a free agent.[13] In the 2020–21 season, Gil made 35 league appearances, starting 21 matches and logging 1,864 minutes, while recording 1 assist but no goals; his contributions helped Cartagena finish 19th and secure survival in the second tier.[3] During the 2021–22 campaign, he featured in 21 league games, starting 13 and accumulating 971 minutes, scoring his only goal for the club on 26 March 2022 in a 4–1 loss to Sporting Gijón.[3][4][15] Over the two seasons, Gil totaled 60 appearances across all competitions, with 1 goal and 2 assists, including one in the Copa del Rey.[10][16] Gil's versatility as a left winger and attacking midfielder enabled rotation in the forward line amid a demanding schedule, supporting Cartagena's efforts to avoid relegation each year, including a 17th-place finish in 2021–22.[1] Drawing briefly on his prior experience at SD Ponferradina in sustaining second-tier status, Gil adapted effectively to the newly promoted environment at Cartagena.[10] Gil left the club as a free agent upon his contract's expiration on 1 July 2022, pursuing international opportunities.[13]New England Revolution
Nacho Gil joined the New England Revolution on August 23, 2022, signing as a free agent to a one-year contract through the end of the 2022 MLS season.[8] The transfer reunited him with his older brother, Carles Gil, the team's captain and Designated Player, fostering immediate family support and enhanced on-field coordination between the siblings.[8] On January 5, 2023, Gil re-signed with the club to a two-year deal through the 2024 season, including a club option for 2025.[17] Across his tenure, Gil appeared in 30 MLS regular season matches for the Revolution, recording 1 goal and 3 assists while helping the team qualify for the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023.[18] He made his MLS debut on September 10, 2022, in a home win over Toronto FC, starting in two of his four appearances that year.[19] In 2023, Gil featured in 9 regular season games with 2 assists and added 1 playoff appearance as the Revolution advanced to the wild card round.[18] His lone MLS goal arrived on March 23, 2024, equalizing against the Chicago Fire in a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium by converting a rebound in stoppage time of the first half.[20] The 2024 season brought challenges for Gil, who sustained a meniscus injury in late April during a match against Inter Miami CF, causing him to miss four months of action.[4] Upon returning in August, he made 17 regular season appearances (6 starts), contributing 1 goal and 1 assist amid the team's struggles that prevented a playoff berth.[18] In the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, Gil started all 5 matches, scoring his first goal for the club on February 29 against CA Independiente in a 3-0 second-leg win that advanced New England to the round of 16, along with 1 assist.[21][18] Head coach Bruce Arena commended Gil as a "talented wide attacking player" whose technical skills and teamwork bolstered the squad's depth.[17] Gil's diligent work rate and precise crossing were highlighted as valuable assets in supporting the Revolution's attacking transitions.[22] Following the 2024 season, the club declined the option on his contract, leading to his release on November 25, 2024.[23]Volos FC
In January 2025, Nacho Gil joined Volos NFC on a free transfer from New England Revolution, signing a contract until July 2025.[1] His prior experience in Major League Soccer facilitated a relatively quick integration into the Greek Super League environment.[6] During the second half of the 2024–25 season, Gil made 17 appearances across the regular season and play-out phase, scoring 2 goals and recording 1 assist while accumulating over 1,300 minutes on the pitch.[24] As a left winger, he contributed width and creativity on the flank, particularly in the relegation play-out group where Volos NFC competed to secure their top-flight status.[25] Gil's goals came late in the campaign, with strikes against PAS Lamia on April 23, 2025, and Panserraikos on April 28, 2025, during the play-out matches that helped stabilize Volos in mid-table of the group. Volos NFC ultimately avoided relegation, finishing 11th overall in the Super League standings.[26] Gil departed Volos NFC as a free agent in July 2025, returning to Spain in search of opportunities closer to home.[1]CD Tenerife
In July 2025, Nacho Gil returned to Spanish football by signing a two-year contract with CD Tenerife, a club competing in the Primera Federación, Spain's third tier.[1][27] The free transfer from Volos FC was announced on 16 July, marking him as the team's eleventh addition for the 2025–26 season and positioning him primarily as a left winger to bolster the attack.[28] His signing was praised for bringing versatility, technical skill, and La Liga pedigree from his Valencia CF youth academy days, with club officials highlighting his ability to provide creative solutions, quick changes of pace, and disruption to defenses.[29][27] Gil's integration into the squad has emphasized his experience and creativity, adding maturity to a Tenerife side aiming for promotion back to the Segunda División after a challenging previous campaign.[27] At age 30, he offers potential leadership in the forward line, drawing on tactical acumen developed through prior stints in European leagues.[29] As of November 2025, he has made 12 appearances in the Primera Federación Group 1, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists while accumulating 1,033 minutes, including key strikes in early wins against CD Guadalajara and Real Madrid Castilla.[16] He also contributed a penalty goal in a 4–0 Copa del Rey victory over RSD Alcalá in October.[30] The move represented a personal homecoming for Gil, who cited the historic stature of CD Tenerife and its ambitious project as primary motivations, noting the club's inevitable return to higher divisions.[27] Having previously played in the Canary Islands with UD Las Palmas, he expressed enthusiasm for reconnecting with Spanish football closer to his Valencia roots and family.[31] Gil's contract runs until June 2027, with opportunities for extension contingent on his form and the team's promotion push.[1]Career statistics and honors
Career statistics
Nacho Gil has amassed approximately 200 senior appearances across various leagues and competitions throughout his professional career, with totals reflecting his contributions in La Liga, Segunda División, MLS, Greek Super League, and lower divisions as of November 20, 2025.[3] His statistics include limited goal-scoring output but consistent involvement as a winger and midfielder, with assists tracked where available from official aggregates. Note that a meniscus injury in 2024 caused him to miss approximately four months during his time with the New England Revolution, impacting his seasonal totals.[10]Valencia B (2014–2017)
Nacho Gil began his senior-level play with Valencia's reserve team in Spain's Segunda División B.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Segunda División B | 95 | 16 | 6 |
Valencia CF (2017–2019)
Gil made his La Liga debut with Valencia's first team, appearing sparingly in league play while also featuring in domestic cups.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | La Liga | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | La Liga | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017–18 | Copa del Rey | 4 | 0 | 0 |
UD Las Palmas (2017–2018)
Gil was loaned to UD Las Palmas in the second half of the 2017–18 La Liga season.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | La Liga | 14 | 0 | 0 |
Elche CF (2018–2019)
Gil joined Elche CF on loan in the 2018–19 Segunda División season.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Segunda División | 11 | 2 | 1 |
SD Ponferradina (2019–2020)
On loan then permanent, Gil played a full season in the Segunda División, contributing regularly.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Segunda División | 34 | 1 | 1 |
FC Cartagena (2020–2022)
Gil joined Cartagena in the Segunda División, providing depth over two seasons.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Segunda División | 35 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | Segunda División | 21 | 1 | 0 |
New England Revolution (2022–2024)
Gil transitioned to Major League Soccer, appearing in league matches, playoffs, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and other competitions despite the 2024 injury.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MLS | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | MLS | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | MLS | 17 | 1 | 1 |
| Various | Cups/Playoffs (2022–2024) | 9 | 1 | 1 |
Volos FC (2024–2025)
Gil moved to the Greek Super League for the 2024–25 season, featuring prominently before departing.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Super League Greece | 17 | 2 | 1 |
CD Tenerife (2025–present)
As of November 20, 2025, Gil has started the 2025–26 season in Spain's Primera Federación.| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Primera Federación - Gr. I | 12 | 3 | 2 |
| 2025–26 | Copa del Rey | 1 | 1 | 0 |