Roberto Corbin (born 19 April 1953) is a Panamanian former professional footballer who is known for being the first Panamanian player to play in Europe when he joined Swiss club Etoile Espagnole in 1979.[1] In April 2019, however, Panamanian newspaper La Prensa reported another Panamanian footballer, Federico Ponce, had played in Spain at amateur level a year earlier.[2]

Roberto Corbin
Personal information
Date of birth (1953-04-19) 19 April 1953 (age 71)
Place of birth El Chorrillo, Panama
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1979 Atletico Panama
1979–1981 Etoile Espagnole
1981–1984 Urania Genève
1985–1989 Tauro
International career
Panama U20
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Corbin worked for Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[citation needed]

Club career

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Corbin started his soccer career in Panama with Atletico Panama in 1978.[3] In October 1979 he moved to Switzerland by recommendation of Peruvian coach Luis Bidú.[2] After trialling with first-tier side CS Chênois for a week, he settled for Etoile Espagnole of the second-tier Swiss Challenge League where he stayed for two years.[2] He joined Urania Genève of the Third Division where he played until 1984.[2]

He returned to Panama in 1985 to play with Tauro in the opening championships of ANAPROF, where they were crowned on 1989.[3]

International career

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Corbin played for the Panama U20 national team participating in a national under-20 championship where he became lead striker with 29 goals in 1971.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Primera huella en Europa". La Prensa Panamá (in Spanish). 28 March 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Estrada, Campo Elías (17 April 2019). "Ponce jugó en Europa primero que Corbin". La Prensa Panamá (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Roberto Corbin, el verdadero legionario". tvmax-9.com (in Spanish). 9 May 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
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