Juan Elía Vallejo (born 24 January 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Club career Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Elía spent the bulk of his professional career with his hometown side CA Osasuna, save for a loan at modest CD Ourense. In the 2004–05 campaign he played a personal-best in La Liga 22 games, but served mostly as a backup during his spell with his main club, 15 years including his formative ones;Elía renueva por Osasuna (Elía renews with Osasuna); UEFA, 13 December 2005 (in Spanish)Osasuna: 16 años sin un portero titular de la cantera (Osasuna: 16 years without a starting goalkeeper from the youth system); Noticias de Navarra, 19 March 2021 (in Spanish) he was also in goal in the 2005 Copa del Rey final, lost 2–1 against Real Betis at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.El Betis se adjudica la Copa del Rey tras ganar a Osasuna (2–1) (Betis take King's Cup after beating Osasuna (2–1)); Cadena SER, 11 June 2005 (in Spanish)
In August 2008, Elía joined Real Murcia CF, recently relegated to the Segunda División.Elia y Campos, "ilusionados" por el proyecto deportivo del Real Murcia (Elia and Campos, "heartened" by Real Murcia's sporting project); Marca, 8 July 2008 (in Spanish) He was first choice in his debut season but the team only finished in mid-table, being relegated in the following with him appearing in 24 matches.Elía, el primer sacrificado (Elía, first one out); La Verdad, 10 November 2009 (in Spanish)
Elía announced his retirement in September 2010 at the age of 31, due to persistent back problems.Elía dice adiós desde aquí (Elía says goodbye from here); Noticias de Navarra, 1 October 2010 (in Spanish) Subsequently, he took up golf.El golf, la "enfermedad" de Juantxo Elía (Golf, Juantxo Elía's "sickness"); Diario de Navarra, 7 April 2022 (in Spanish)
International career Elía represented Navarre in two matches.Euskadi y Navarra ganan (Euskadi and Navarre win); Mundo Deportivo, 30 December 2004 (in Spanish)Orbaiz y Gurpegi participan en la victoria de Navarra ante China (Orbaiz and Gurpegi take part in Navarre win against China); Mundo Deportivo, 27 December 2005 (in Spanish)
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