Robert Sanchez

Sánchez was born in Cartagena, Region of Murcia. He was born to a Jamaican-English father and Spanish mother. He spent his early career playing locally with Escuela de Fútbol de Santa Ana, Cartagena FC and Ciudad Jardín before joining Levante in 2010.

Sánchez moved to England to sign for Brighton & Hove Albion at the age of 15, before signing his first professional contract in June 2015. He signed a new three-year contract with the club in April 2018.

On 1 November 2020, Sánchez made his Brighton debut, playing in a 2–1 defeat in a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. On 23 February 2021, Sánchez signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Brighton, running until June 2025.

On 3 August 2023, it was reported that Brighton had agreed a transfer fee, with fellow Premier League club Chelsea, worth an initial £20 million, plus £5 million in add-ons, for Sánchez. The transfer was completed on 5 August, with the player signing a seven-year contract. On 8 August, Chelsea confirmed that he would wear the vacant number 31 shirt for the upcoming 2023–24 season.

Sánchez was born in Spain to an English father and Spanish mother.[28] Sánchez received his first call-up to the Spanish national team in March 2021, for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.[29]

He was selected to the Spain squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in May 2021.[30] Sánchez and David de Gea remained as understudies to Unai Simón and did not make an appearance as Spain were knocked out on penalties against Italy in the semi-final at Wembley Stadium on 6 July.[31]

He made his international debut on 5 September 2021, replacing Simón in the second half of a World Cup qualifier 4–0 win against Georgia in Badajoz.[32]

Sánchez was part of Spain's 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals squad in October.[33] He remained as back-up and did not make an appearance in either of the semi-final victory over Italy or the final loss against France as Spain finished as runners-up.[34][35]

On 11 November 2022, Sánchez was named in Spain's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.