Education
He finished his first year with ten goals – second-best in the squad – as the team finished eighth in the league.
He finished his first year with ten goals – second-best in the squad – as the team finished eighth in the league.
Alicante
Born in Crevillent, Alicante, Valencian Community, Cristian played for several clubs as a youth, including local Crevillente Deportivo and Alicante CF. He made his debuts for the latter"s first team during the 2007-2008 season, as the team returned to Segunda División after a 50-year absence. In the following campaign Cristian continued playing mostly with the reserves in Tercera División, with the main side finally being relegated. He made his division two debut in a game against Hércules CF on 6 June 2009, scoring in a 1–2 local derby home loss.
Castilla / Mestalla
López signed for Real Madrid Castilla in the 2009 summer, with Real Madrid"s reserves in the third division.
In January 2011 Cristian signed for Valencia CF"s B-team in the fourth level, in a season-long loan. He scored in double digits as the Che reserves returned to the third tier at the first attempt, and the move was made permanent in the summer.
Cristian spent 2012-2013 still in division three, with Civil Defense Atlético Baleares. Huddersfield
On 24 July 2013, trialist Cristian played for Huddersfield Town against Real Betis, in a 2–4 friendly loss at the John Smith"s Stadium, and he scored in the next pre-season match with Oldham Athletic (2–3 defeat).
The following week he signed a one-year deal with the Terriers, taking the number 19 shirt vacated by Alan Lee.
Cristian made his Football League Championship on 3 August 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 0–1 defeat at Nottingham Forest – in the process, he became the club"s first ever Spanish player in its 105-year history. On 10 October, however, he joined Football League One side Shrewsbury Town on a month"s loan, becoming the first Spaniard to sign for the club He scored his first goal for the team and in English football on the 22nd, in a 1–1 draw against Colchester United at the New Meadow, but returned to Huddersfield on 5 November following an injury crisis to its attacking sector.
On 14 March 2014, López moved to League Two"s Northampton Town, on loan for the rest of the season.
He was released by Huddersfield in May.
Burgos / Cluj
On 17 July 2014, Cristian joined Burgos CF in the third tier, eventually helping his team to a mid-table finish. He received a straight red card on 11 October 2014 in a goalless draw at Civil Defense Guijuelo, for a 15th-minute high challenge on Juli Ferrer.
In June 2015, Cristian moved abroad for the second time, signing with Romanian Liga I team CFR Cluj. He made his top flight debut on 11 July, replacing Guima for the final 20 minutes of a 2–2 draw at Football Club Viitorul Constanța in the opening game of the season.
A month later, he scored his first goal for the Feroviarii, the game"s only at the Stadionul Doctor Constantin Rădulescu against Football Club Petrolul Ploiești, four minutes after coming on for Leo Beleck.