Julio Laffatigue

Julio Cesar Laffatigue Holub is a professional footballer from Argentina who plays as a striker. Called “Emperador del Gol” or the “Emperor of Goal”, Laffatigue was known primarily for his natural ability to score goals. However, Laffatigue was also known to be the proverbial “football traveler”. 14 transfers in 11 seasons was not a good record on somebody who failed to make a name at the highest level of the sport.

In 1999-2000, Laffatigue made his professional debut after spending 1997 and 1998 with Germinal, in the youth division. His debut at the professional level came for El Porvenir although he was a part of Club Atletico All Boys, who brought him on alongside the likes of Osvaldo Piazza. Laffatigue was, in fact, on loan to El Porvenir and was brought on as a test-subject who looked like a big prospect for the future.

Laffatigue was left as, more or less, a last option and while the others got their opportunity, Laffatigue was left on the sidelines without a single game under his belt. He moved to Independiente in 2000 but again spent the entire year without any games throughout 2000-01. In 2001-02 he returned to his original club, All Boys, hoping for a place in the starting lineup but there were barely any opportunities for Laffatigue, who continued to remain below-par.

He moved to Racing de Cordoba, on loan, in 2002-03 before moving on to the B-Metropolitana division with Club Deportivo Armenio on loan in 2004. In the middle of these two loan spells, Laffatigue went back to All Boys for a single season, still unable to get into the starting lineup.

He decided to try his hand at playing abroad and started off small by moving to Deportes Concepcion in Chile. His 2004 move was lying in the second division in the country and after 12 goals by Laffatigue, managed to make it back into top flight. His performances caught the eyes of many, including Everton football club in England.

After just 6 months with Everton, Laffatigue was back in Chile, playing for Deportes Puerto Montt. His stint with the club was marred by a major injury after their team’s bus met with a major accident enroute to a match venue. 3 people died in the accident while 13 were injured in the crash, Laffatigue suffered from cranial trauma but was safe and out for a major period.

Laffatigue left Chile for Venezuela and joined Italmaracaibo in 2006. He ended the 2006-07 season with UA Maracaibo, playing in the Copa Libertadores as well. By now, already given his nickname, Laffatigue had developed the uncanny knack of being able to score some vital goals. He moved back to Chile to play with Cobresal in 2007 and then stayed on for the 2008 season as well.

In 2008, before the start of the 2009 season, Laffatigue moved to Universidad de Concepcion where he was an integral part of the first team, especially with his free-flowing goal-scoring ability. In 2008-09, Laffatigue finally managed to help his team win silverware after taking Universidad de Concepcion to the Copa Chile title. He helped the team qualify for the Copa Sudamericana in 2010 although Laffatigue himself moved to Mexico to join Queretaro FC.