Fernando Amorebieta
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Fernando Gabriel Amorebieta Mardaras | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 31 August 2009 | |||
Template:Spanish name 2 Fernando Gabriel Amorebieta Mardaras (born March 29, 1985 in Cantaura, Anzoátegui, Venezuela) is a Venezuelan-Spanish footballer who currently plays for Athletic Bilbao, as a central defender.
Football career
Amorebieta met Athletic de Bilbao's eligibility standards, having been raised in the region, and through his parents, both of whom are from the Basque Country. He debuted for the first team in 2005–06, becoming an undisputed first-choice in the subsequent seasons.
Amorebieta expressed his interest in playing for the Venezuelan national team (dubbed La Vinotinto); however, according to FIFA association rules, he should have switched codes prior to the age of 21, having previously played for the Spain in the youth categories.
In June 2007, he returned to Venezuela to play for the Euskadi (a non-FIFA affiliate) against Venezuela, in San Cristóbal in a 4–3 Basque win. The friendly match was the grand opening for the 43.000 all-seated Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, after two years of construction for the 2007 Copa América.
In August 2008, Amorebieta was called by new Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, for a friendly against Denmark, alongside teammate Andoni Iraola. However, he did not leave the bench.
Amorebieta played in a total of 47 official matches in the 2009–10 season, helping Athletic reach the round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League, as well as an 8th-place finish in the league; he collected 18 yellow cards in the process, being sent off twice.