A product of the Real Madrid youth system, Garcia had to leave the Bernabeu to make his name having made only three La Liga appearances for the club. That is despite making his debut against Levante aged 17 in 2004.

He moved to Osasuna for €2.5 million in 2007, ahead of reported interest from Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna. He spent one season at El Sadar as Real exercised a buy-back clause.

But his return to the Spanish capital was to be a short one, playing 15 games in 2008-09, as Garcia was sold to Benfica in the summer of 2009 for €7 million.

Garcia soon became a crucial part of the Benfica side which lifted the Portuguese league title in his first season at the club, and the Portuguese Cup in three successive seasons.

That form eventually led to his full international debut for Spain in an international friendly against Serbia in May 2012. He also won the European Under-19 Championship with Spain in 2006.

He moved to Manchester City on transfer deadline day in August 2012, with the Premier League club paying £15.8 million for his services.

Strengths: A combative midfield player who is strong on the ball and in the tackle. He is also capable of filling in at centre-back if required. He has a good range of passing.

Weaknesses: He lacks pace and while that is not necessarily a prerequisite for a defensive midfielder it does mean he can get into trouble from time to time.

Career high: Winning the Portuguese title with Benfica in his first season in 2009-10.

Career low: Failing to make the grade at Real Madrid twice despite being bought back by the club which nurtured his early career.

Style: Strong, determined, powerful.

Quotes: "My natural position is central midfield, playing just in front of the centre-backs. I also played as an emergency central defender at Benfica when forced into it. But I feel most at home and I honestly think I perform at my best as a holding midfielder just in front of the defence." Javi Garcia, September 2012.

Trivia: Javi Garcia is the cousin of former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia.