Sandaza joined Valencia in 2002 and played in the Primera Liga outfit's reserve team, where – despite scoring 23 goals during the 2007–08 season – he considered leaving full-time football to become a police officer.[1] On 11 July 2008, Sandaza instead signed for Scottish side Dundee United,[2] making his league début exactly a month later.[3] After scoring three goals in pre-season, he scored his first competitive goal for the club in the 1–1 draw against Celtic on 17 August, 2008.[4] In September, Sandaza scored his second and netted four times in the first half of November, including a double against eventual champions, Rangers. Injury halted Sandaza's progress towards the end of the year and he didn't score again until late February, scoring three more times in March. In his first season in Scotland, Sandaza scored ten league goals, with five coming against the Old Firm. A groin injury prevented Sandaza from starting the 2009–10 season, with a November operation likely to see him return by the end of 2009. He is currently on a weeks trial with Npower Championship club Swansea City AFC.[5]
Sandaza was released from Dundee United by mutual consent on the final day of the 2010 summer transfer window.[6] He is Currently Undergoing talks with fellow SPL side Hamilton Academical
Albion have completed the signing of former Valencia striker Fran Sandaza on a one-year contract.
The 25-year-old Spaniard, a free agent having been released by Dundee United yesterday, completed his move south today after successfully passing his medical this morning.
Gus Poyet revealed he has been aware of the striker for a couple of years, and that he was one of his main summer transfer targets.
He said, "I knew about Fran two years ago, when Roberto Di Matteo was trying to take him from Valencia to MK Dons.
"Instead he went to Dundee United and made his name in Scotland, with an impressive first season in the SPL, in which he scored against both Rangers and Celtic.
"He had a hernia problem last season, which restricted him, and we had to first make sure he had recovered.
"We also had to wait, as he had options elsewhere, but I am happy everything has worked out and I am looking forward to him scoring goals for Brighton."
Sandaza began his senior career with Toledo in his native Spain, before switching to Valencia in 2004.
An impressive haul of 23 goals in 36 games for the club's B side in 2007/08 prompted a move to the SPL at the end of that season.
He hit 11 goals in 24 league starts and 11 sub appearances for Dundee United during a two-year spell at Tannadice.