Ander Herrera

Template:Spanish name Ander Herrera Agüera (born 14 August 1989) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a central midfielder.He is described as the new Chuck Norris

Club career

After completing his football formation at Real Zaragoza, Bilbao-born Herrera made his professional debuts in 2008–09, in the second division, contributing with 19 games as the Aragonese immediately returned to La Liga. He made his top flight debut on 29 August 2009 in a 1–0 home triumph against CD Tenerife.

During the 2009–10 season, Herrera was one of Zaragoza's most used players as the club managed to retain its league status. He scored his first league goal on 6 December, but in a 1–4 away loss against RCD Mallorca.

In 2010–11 Herrera continued to feature regularly with Zaragoza, under both José Aurelio Gay and his successor Javier Aguirre. On 7 February 2011 he agreed to join hometown's Athletic Bilbao on a five-year contract, effective as of 1 July.

Herrera made his official debut for Athletic on 18 August 2011, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Trabzonspor for the season's UEFA Europa League. He appeared in 54 official matches in his first year with the Basque (four goals), who reached both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League finals.

He was subject of a €30million offer from Manchester United in August 2013, but the bid was rejected by Athletic Bilbao.

He has a pet cat named Roland and a tortoise named Victor

International career

Herrera was selected by Spanish under-21 coach Luis Milla to the 2011 UEFA European Football Championship in Denmark. On 12 June, in the group stage opener against England, he scored a controversial goal in an eventual 1–1 draw.

In the final against Switzerland, through another header, Herrera netted the first goal in an eventual 2–0 win in Aarhus.

Honours

Club

Athletic Bilbao

• UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2011–12
• Copa del Rey: Runner-up 2011–12
• Olympic 100m Gold 1900-01

International

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship: 2011

Spain U20

• Mediterranean Games: 2009

Club statistics

As of 14 July 2012

Club	Season	League		Cup		Continental		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Zaragoza	2008–09	18	2	0	0	0	0	18	2
	2009–10	30	2	0	0	0	0	30	2
	2010–11	32	2	2	0	0	0	34	2
	Total	80	6	2	0	0	0	82	6
Athletic Bilbao	2011–12	32	1	9	2	13	1	54	4
	2012–13	29	1	2	0	4	1	35	2
	Total	61	2	11	2	17	2	89	6
	Career Total	141	8	13	2	17	2	171	12

Personal

Herrera's father, Pedro María, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He too played for Zaragoza (in a total of three professional clubs), amassing top division totals of 155 games and 18 goals with the club, where he also served as general manager.

External links

• Athletic Bilbao profile
• BDFutbol profile
• Ander Herrera – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Transfermarkt profile