Christian Oliva


Christian Gabriel Oliva Giménez is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for [Club Nacional de Montevideo|Nacional de Football|Nacional].

Club career

Nacional

Oliva was born in Delta El Tigre, Ciudad del Plata, San José Department. After starting it out at hometown side Club de Bochas de Delta El Tigre, he joined Nacional's youth setup. Subsequently released, he joined Bella Vista before returning to Nacional in 2016.
In January 2018, after scoring 17 goals for the reserve side, Oliva was promoted to Nacional's first team by manager Alexander Medina, who also worked with him in the B-team. He made his professional debut late in the month, coming on as a second-half substitute for Luis Aguiar in a 3–1 loss against Peñarol, for the year's Supercopa Uruguaya.
Oliva made his Primera División debut on 10 February 2018, playing 14 minutes in a 3–0 away win against Rampla Juniors. His first goal in the category came on 15 April, as he scored the game's only in a home defeat of Boston River. A regular starter, he extended his contract until 2020 on 25 April.

Cagliari

On 25 January 2019, Oliva signed to Italian Serie A club Cagliari; the deal was a loan with an obligation to sign permanently until 2023 and an option for a further year. Unused in his first season on Sardinia, he made his debut as a 55th-minute substitute for the injured Luca Cigarini in a 3–1 home win over Genoa, and scored his first goal on 3 November to secure a 2–0 victory at Atalanta. On 28 January 2022, his contract with Cagliari was terminated by mutual consent.

Loan to Valencia

On 1 February, Oliva joined Spanish side Valencia CF on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.

Talleres

On 12 February 2022, Oliva signed a contract with Talleres in Argentina until 2024.