Javier Iturriaga Arrillaga
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| Javier Iturriaga | ||
 |
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Javier Iturriaga Arrillaga | |
| Date of birth | November 3, 1983 (age 23) | |
| Place of birth | Mexico City, Mexico, Mexico | |
| Height | 177cm (5ft 10in) | |
| Playing position | Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Athletic Bilbao | |
| Number | 22 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2002-2004 2004-2006 2006- |
CD Baskonia Bilbao Athletic Athletic Bilbao |
45 (3) 48 (4) 2 (0) |
| National team2 | ||
| None | None | None (None) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Javier Iturriaga Arrillaga (born November 3, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican football midfielder currently playing with Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
Iturriaga has an odd background for a player of Athletic Bilbao. Unlike most of his teammates Javier was not born in the Basque Country, or even in Spain. The philosophy of Athletic Bilbao doesn't mandate that a player must be born in the Basque Country to play for the club, but the philosophy does establish rules that a player must meet to be signed, and those rules had traditionally made it easier to sign players born in that region. Nevertheless, players born outside of the Basque Country are allowed to play with Athletic Bilbao if they have Basque ancestry and/or if they have learned their football skills in the Basque Country. Iturriaga meets the criteria since the rest of his family is from the Basque Country, as a matter of fact he's the only Mexican in his family, and he mostly acquired all of his skills as a football player playing for Athletic Bilbao Youth Clubs.
His family arrived to Mexico in the early 80's from their native city of Zarautz, after his father was relocated for business purposes to that Latin American country. Javier was born and grew up in Mexico City, he attended elementary school in Mexico but at the age of 13 his family went back to Europe, he attended St Edmunds College, near Ware, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, where he also played rugby. After high school he finally went back to Bilbao where he followed the footsteps of his brother Iñigo and joined Athletic Bilbao Youth System.
After years of hard work Iturriaga was promoted to Athletic Bilbao first division squad for the season 2006-2007, he made his first division debut against Gimnástic de Terragona, by substituting Pablo Orbaiz in the 58th minute of the match. Ever since Javier has played mostly in Copa del Rey. Iturriaga or Itu, as the fans call him, has shown to be a midfielder with good skills for defensive game, he also has the ability to read the game well and distribute the ball.
The news of his promotion to the first division squad and debut were followed in his native Mexico, where the press has become interested in the player. Iturriaga has declared that he wishes to represent Mexico in international football matches. Hugo Sánchez, the Mexican football legend and coach of the Mexican national team, has declared that he would have him in consideration and follow his progress.
[edit] External links
| Athletic Bilbao - Current Squad |
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1 Lafuente | 2 Expósito | 3 Casas | 4 Ustaritz | 5 Amorebieta | 6 Sarriegi | 7 Tiko | 8 Garmendia | 9 Llorente | 10 Yeste | 11 Gabilondo | 12 Zubiaurre | 13 Aranzubía | 14 Prieto | 15 Iraola | 16 Javi González | 17 Etxeberria | 18 Gurpegi | 19 Murillo | 20 Urzaiz | 21 Dañobeitia | 22 Iturriaga | 23 Aduriz | 24 Martinez | 25 Unai Alba | 45 Bergara | — Orbaiz | Coach Mané |
