Xavier "Xavi" Torres Buigues (born 21 November 1986) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for CD Lugo. Formed at Barcelona, he went on to amass La Liga totals of 156 games and six goals over eight seasons, with that club, Málaga, Levante, Getafe, Betis and Sporting de Gijón. Club career Early years Born in Xàbia, Alicante, Valencian Community, Torres spent his entire youth career at Villarreal CF. He made his professional debut at another club in the region, Alicante CF, in the 2006–07 edition of Segunda División B. Barcelona Torres signed for FC Barcelona in July 2007 (after Villarreal had rebought him from Alicante), spending the vast majority of his two-year spell with the reserve team, which he helped to return to the third division in his debut campaign as the Catalans were coached by young Pep Guardiola. Torres made his La Liga debut on 17 May 2009, appearing for the already crowned champions in a 2–1 away loss against RCD Mallorca. After the match, the player said that he was very grateful to Guardiola – promoted to first-team manager the previous summer – for giving him an opportunity to play in the main squad; it would be the first of two appearances. Málaga On 12 June 2009, Málaga CF signed Torres on a free transfer for four seasons. He scored his first goal with the Andalusians on 30 August, closing a 3–0 home victory over Atlético Madrid in the 89th minute, in the season's opener. Torres made his Málaga debut as a starter on 13 September 2009, in a 1–0 defeat at Deportivo de La Coruña, being replaced by Victor Obinna in the 84th minute. However, he appeared rarely in his first year and, on 7 June 2010, was loaned to recently promoted side Levante UD. His first competitive match for the latter took place on 28 August, when he played the entire 1–4 home loss against Sevilla FC. Levante In early December 2010, Torres was linked with a potential move to Everton, but nothing came of it. He rarely missed a game for Levante – being the second-most used player in the squad – as the Valencian team finally retained their top-division status. In July 2011, the move was extended for a further season. Torres scored his first goal for the Granotas on 20 November 2011, in a 3–2 away loss to Atlético