Andoni Iraola
 Iraola playing against Barcelona. |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andoni Iraola Sagarna | ||
| Date of birth | 22 June 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Usurbil, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Playing position | Right back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–1999 | Antiguoko | ||
| 1999–2000 | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2001 | Baskonia | 35 | (4) |
| 2001–2003 | Bilbao Athletic | 75 | (15) |
| 2003– | Athletic Bilbao | 296 | (31) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2001 | Spain U18 | 1 | (0) |
| 2003 | Spain U21 | 1 | (0) |
| 2008– | Spain | 7 | (0) |
| 2003– | Euskadi | 5 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 December 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Andoni Iraola Sagarna (born 22 June 1982 in Usurbil, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a defender or midfielder.
Combative and with good passing skills, he operates on the right flank, and spent his entire professional career with Athletic Bilbao.[1]
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[edit] Club career
A product of Athletic de Bilbao famed youth system, Lezama, Iraola made his debuts with the first team in the 2003–04 season, becoming an instant first-choice, while often taking Athletic's penalties and free kicks. On 30 August 2003, he made his first La Liga appearance, starting in a 0–1 home loss against FC Barcelona.
During his spell, Iraola never played in less than 30 league matches, while also helping the Basque qualify for the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, and finish second in the 2009 domestic cup; as former club legend, Aitor Larrazábal, he too contributed with goals, scoring at least once in every season.
On 28 January 2007, Iraola scored twice in a 2–0 away win against neighbours Real Sociedad, who were finally relegated. Athletic narrowly avoided a drop, ranking in 17th position.[2]
[edit] International career
On 20 August 2008, Iraola was called by new Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for a friendly with Denmark, alongside teammate Fernando Amorebieta. He entered the pitch in the final 15 minutes of the 3–0 away success, subbing in for Sergio Ramos.
On 29 March 2011, after nearly one 1/2 years without playing for the national team, Iraola started in a 3–1 win against Lithuania in Kaunas for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Iraola, sin fin (Iraola, without limits); El País, 20 February 2011 (Spanish)
- ^ Real Sociedad 0-2 Athletic Bilbao; ESPN Soccernet, 28 January 2007
- ^ Mata the catalyst as Spain win in Lithuania; UEFA.com, 29 March 2011
[edit] External links
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