Mikel Labaka
![]() Labaka in action for Real Sociedad in 2011 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Mikel Labaka Zurriarain | ||
Date of birth | 10 August 1980 | ||
Place of birth | Azpeitia, Spain | ||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Real Sociedad (assistant) | ||
Youth career | |||
1996–1997 | Lagun Onak | ||
1997–1999 | Real Sociedad | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1999–2002 | Real Sociedad B | 106 | (8) |
2002–2011 | Real Sociedad | 173 | (10) |
2002–2003 | → Real Unión (loan) | 35 | (1) |
2003–2004 | → Ciudad Murcia (loan) | 26 | (2) |
2011–2013 | Rayo Vallecano | 23 | (1) |
Total | 363 | (22) | |
International career | |||
2005–2012 | Basque Country | 8 | (1) |
Managerial career | |||
2014–2016 | Real Sociedad B (assistant) | ||
2016– | Real Sociedad (assistant) | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Mikel Labaka Zurriarain (born 10 August 1980) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and is the assistant manager of Real Sociedad.
He amassed La Liga totals of 111 matches and five goals during six seasons, representing in the competition Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111 games and eight goals in Segunda División, in a 14-year professional career.
Club career
Born in Azpeitia, Basque Country, Labaka reached Real Sociedad's youth system at the age of 17. After playing three years with the reserves he made his professional debut with Real Unión (Segunda División B) and Ciudad de Murcia (Segunda División), spending one season with each club on loan.
On 24 October 2004, Labaka made his first-team – and La Liga – debut with Real Sociedad, in a 2–1 home win against RCD Mallorca,[1] and finished his first season with 30 games and three goals to help the Txuriurdin finish in 14th position. He only appeared in 11 league matches in 2006–07 as they suffered relegation for the first time in 40 years, but regained first-choice status in the following campaigns.[2]
In August 2011, the 31-year-old Labaka was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Philippe Montanier, and left Real to sign for Rayo Vallecano, recently promoted to the top level.[3] He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.
On 7 June 2016, Labaka was named assistant coach at his main club, after nearly two years in the same capacity with the B-side.[4]
References
- ^ "De Paula premia a una ofensiva Real Sociedad" [De Paula gives prize to attacking Real Sociedad]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ Isasa, Xabier (25 June 2011). "Decisiva temporada para Aranburu y Labaka" [Decisive season to Aranburu and Labaka]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ "Labaka se convierte en nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Labaka becomes new Rayo Vallecano player]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ "Cambios en el staff técnico y auxiliares del primer equipo" [Changes in technical staff and first team assistants] (in Spanish). Real Sociedad. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
External links
- Mikel Labaka at BDFutbol
- Mikel Labaka at Soccerway
- 1980 births
- Living people
- People from Azpeitia
- Spanish footballers
- Basque footballers
- Association football defenders
- La Liga players
- Segunda División players
- Segunda División B players
- Tercera División players
- Real Sociedad B footballers
- Real Sociedad footballers
- Real Unión footballers
- Ciudad de Murcia footballers
- Rayo Vallecano players
- Basque Country international footballers
- Real Sociedad non-playing staff