Ramón Núñez

Ramón Fernando Núñez Reyes (born 14 November 1985) is a former footballer.

Núñez plays primarily as an attacking midfielder.

He can also play as a winger or as a second striker.

In his homeland he is nicknamed El Principito meaning The Little Prince.

Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Núñez grew up in the United States, coming with his family on his father's investor visa in the early 1990s and graduating from W. T. White High School in Dallas, Texas.

He was drafted by the Dallas Burn sixth overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft after one season of college soccer at Southern Methodist University for which he was named the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year.

In his first year with the Dallas Burn (which later changed their name to FC Dallas), Núñez saw very limited action, playing a total of 107 minutes in eight games.

However, he came on strong at the end of his second season, earning a starting role and finishing with five league goals and three assists.

After losing a starting spot, he transferred to Chivas USA in August 2007.

He was released on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Soon after, Ramón joined Olimpia of Honduras where he made 34 appearances, finding the net three times.

He was a key player in Olimpia's lineup and played mostly as an attacking midfielder, providing several assists.

He was renowned for his extraordinary vision and was instrumental in Los Leones's 2007/08 Clausura triumph, his performances also securing him the player of the season award.

Núñez's excellent form with Olimpia and with the Honduras national football team led to him signing on loan for six months at Mexican Primera División side Puebla.

He scored his first goal with Puebla on 18 February 2009 against C.F. Pachuca.

He continued to score for 'La Franja' since then and brought his goal tally up to five goals.

He also created five assists throughout the season.

His performances on loan for Puebia earned Núñez a move to Cruz Azul for the 2009–2010 season, where he scored two goals in the CONCACAF Champions League.

He left the club after six months after not making the same sort of impression he made at Puebia.

He decided to return to Honduras so he could get regular games to guarantee his spot in the 2010 Honduras World Cup Squad.

Núñez returned to Honduras after leaving Mexico, where he re-joined the nation's most successful side in C.D. Olimpia where he scored 5 goals in 11 games for them.

After his 6-month contract ended, Núñez wanted to try his luck in Europe after turning down offers to join Mexican Premier League clubs.

After becoming a free agent, he left Olimpia to join Leeds initially on a trial basis before signing a permanent contract.

In August 2010, Núñez joined English club Leeds United on trial.

Núñez scored in his first game for the club in a pre-season friendly victory against Bradford Park Avenue.

After impressing manager Simon Grayson during his trial, Núñez's trial period was extended at Leeds by a further week.

On 31 August 2010, Núñez signed a professional contract with Leeds United until January 2011, when there is an option to extend the contract even further.

On 14 September, in order to gain match fitness, Núñez played 90 minutes in Leeds' 3–1 behind closed doors friendly win against Middlesbrough.

Núñez put in an impressive performance, scoring a goal and gaining an assist for Mike Grella.

Núñez revealed on 23 September, that he was eligible to play for Leeds' first team after going to New York to get a green light on the necessary paperwork.

On 28 September, Núñez was named on the bench for Leeds against Preston North End and against Ipswich Town.

He made his debut as a second-half substitute against Cardiff City, as Leeds were comprehensively beaten 4–0 at home.

Núñez came on as a second-half substitute against Scunthorpe United.

On 13 January, Núñez signed a new contract extension with Leeds until the end of the 2010–11 season.

The extension also includes the option of a further year on the contract.

Despite the new contract and some impressive performances for Leeds United's reserve team (including all four goals in the 4–1 victory of Lincoln City on 7 March ), Núñez struggled for chances in the Leeds United first team, making do with a place on the bench and a regular spot in Leeds' reserves.

Leeds chose to exercise the option on Núñez's contract and the midfielder has extended his stay at Elland Road for another year.

On 24 March, he joined Scunthorpe United on loan in order to get some more experience in English football.

On 1 January 2011, manager Grayson revealed that Núñez might get a new contract despite not playing many games.

On 2 April, Núñez made his debut in the 6-0 thrashing by Norwich at Carrow Road on 2 April 2011, however after a sending off to a Scunthorpe player Núñez was substituted in the first half.