| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pablo Orbaiz Lesaka | ||
| Date of birth | 6 February 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Pamplona, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Olympiacos | ||
| Number | 31 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Osasuna | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1996–1998 | Osasuna B | 27 | (2) |
| 1996–2000 | Osasuna | 69 | (2) |
| 2000– | Athletic Bilbao | 263 | (10) |
| 2011–2012 | → Olympiacos (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1997 | Spain U17 | 5 | (0) |
| 1996–1998 | Spain U18 | 15 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Spain U20 | 12 | (0) |
| 1999–2001 | Spain U21 | 12 | (0) |
| 2002–2005 | Spain | 4 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22 December 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Pablo Orbaiz Lesaka (born 6 February 1979) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Olympiacos F.C. on loan from Athletic Bilbao, as a defensive midfielder.
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Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Orbaiz began his career at hometown side CA Osasuna, exclusively playing in the second division with the team, and contributing with 29 matches and one goal in his final season as it returned to La Liga after a six-year absence.
After that, he moved to neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, where he was a very important midfield element from the start. In 2004–05, he played in 35 league games with three goals, adding eight UEFA Cup matches. However, he also suffered two very serious knee injuries, in 2002–03 and 2006–07 (only 14 matches combined).[1]
In the 2009–10 season, Orbaiz continued to be an automatic first-choice when healthy. However, during one month (February–March 2010), he was sent off twice for dangerous challenges – both of which resulted in two-match bans – at Villarreal CF (1–2 loss)[2] and at home against Getafe CF (2–2, he also scored the opener in the latter game).[3]
In late August 2011, after another season of regular use by manager Joaquín Caparrós - 26 games, 1,675 minutes - as Athletic once again qualified to the Europa League, 32-year old Orbaiz was loaned to Olympiacos F.C. in Greece, joining a host of compatriots at the Piraeus club, including manager Ernesto Valverde.[4]
Orbaiz made his international debut with Spain on 21 August 2002, in a testimonial match for Ferenc Puskás against Hungary, representing the nation a further three matches.
Previously, he helped the nation win the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.[5]
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