Esteban Alvarado

Esteban Alvarado Brown (born 28 April 1989) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga FPD club Saprissa and the Costa Rica national team.

Born in Siquirres, Costa Rica, Alvarado started his academy career at Santos de Guápiles before moving to Saprissa.

Alvarado made his Saprissa debut, in a 3–1 win over Municipal Liberia on 29 November 2009.

With his move to AZ Alkmaar finalised and expected to move in the summer, Alvarado made four appearances for the club and helped the club win the league.

In December 2009, AZ Alkmaar signed the Costa Rican goalkeeper from Deportivo Saprissa, the youngster moved to the Netherlands in July 2010.

But after Romeo's injury from his international duty, Alvarado made his AZ debut on 12 February 2011 against PSV Eindhoven, where it turned out to be disastrous when he conceded four goals, in a 4–0 loss.

After the match, Alvarado said, quoting: "Only Superman could have saved me." From that on, Alvarado continued to be the first choice goalkeeper temporary, where he made six appearances for the club in the 2010–11 season, including a clean-sheet in a match against Heerenveen on 19 February 2011.

Alvarado also find himself left out the squad against Feyenoord when he returned late to Netherlands from Costa Rica.

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, Alvardo was given number thirty-four shirt.

Alvarado became a first choice goalkeeper for AZ after Sergio Romero's departure to Sampdoria and Joey Didulica's unexpected retirement.

Alvarado made his first AZ appearance of 2011–12 season when he played, in a 2–0 win over Baumit Jablonec on 28 July 2011, which AZ went through after a 1–1 draw against them in the second leg.

Alvarado made his league debut of the 2011–12 season, where he helped AZ beat PSV 3–1 in the opening game of the season.

His performance soon led supporters voting for Alvarado awarded the club's player of the month November.

On 21 December 2011, Alvarado was sent off by Bas Nijhuis in a KNVB Cup match against Ajax after an Ajax supporter tried to attack and injure him.

A 19-year-old Ajax fan identified as Wesley van W had been drinking and entered the pitch after 36 minutes of play.

He ran towards the AZ goalkeeper and attempted to kick him but slipped to the ground.

Alvarado then kicked the attacker twice and was sent off for violent conduct.

This prompted AZ manager Gertjan Verbeek to order his players to the dressing rooms in protest.

The game was consequently abandoned.

The KNVB subsequently rescinded the red card, and Ajax banned Wesley van W from all of their home matches for life.

He was also sentenced to six months in prison, with two months suspended.

He would also have to undergo treatment for an alcohol problem and report to police during all Eredivisie and Dutch national team matches.

The KNVB ordered the match replayed in its entirety behind closed doors.

Alvarado was the ever present goalkeeper, making thirty-four appearances and earning fifteen clean sheets in the 2011–12 season.

Alvarado was also named Goal.com's Eredivisie Team of the Season.

On 19 January 2012, the match was replayed with Alvarado in goal.

AZ beat Ajax 3–2 to progress through the quarter final.

In the 2012–13 season, Alvarado was given number one shirt.

Alvarado made his first appearance of the 2012–13 season, in a 2–2 draw against Ajax in the opening game of the season.

In both games against Anzhi Makhackala in the play-offs, Alvarado was in goal, as they proved to be too strong and failed to win either legs losing 1–0 and 5–0 respectively.

Later in the 2012–13 season, Alvarado was the ever present goalkeeper, making thirty-four appearances in 3060 minutes, as well as, earning five clean sheets.

Despite this, Alvarado was in goal for the KNVB Cup final, as AZ beat PSV 2–1, making this as Alvarado's first achievement at AZ Alkmaar.

In the 2013–14 season, Alvarado hinted he may leave the club in effort for new challenges.

Despite this, Alvarado made his first appearance of the season, in a 3–2 loss against Ajax in the Johan Cruijff Schaal.

Two weeks later on 11 August 2013, Alvarado help the club gain their revenge against Ajax when AZ beat them 3–2.

Alvarado also helped the club against Anzhi Makhackala when AZ beat 1–0 on aggregate.

Alvarado was the ever present goalkeeper, making thirty-four appearances, including the play-offs, which AZ lost 3–0 on aggregate against Groningen.

In the 2014–15 season, Alvarado continued to be the first choice goalkeeper until he suffered a knee injury that kept him out for months.

The move was later confirmed when Alvarado signed a five-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2015.

Following his signing for AZ, Alvarado remained a backup goalkeeper for AZ behind Joey Didulica and Sergio Romero.