Gorka Iraizoz
 Iraizoz training with Athletic Bilbao | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gorka Iraizoz Moreno | ||
| Date of birth | 6 March 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Pamplona, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–1999 | Chantrea | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1999–2000 | Baskonia | 20 | (0) |
| 2000–2001 | Bilbao Athletic | 0 | (0) |
| 2001 | → Gernika (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2001–2002 | Gernika | 36 | (0) |
| 2002–2004 | Espanyol B | 59 | (0) |
| 2004–2007 | Espanyol | 23 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | → Eibar (loan) | 41 | (0) |
| 2007– | Athletic Bilbao | 212 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2006– | Basque Country | 6 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 January 2014. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Gorka Iraizoz Moreno (born 6 March 1981) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Iraizoz was born in Pamplona, Navarre. After beginning his football career with local UDC Chantrea, he moved to the Basque Country with Athletic de Bilbao, serving stints with affiliates CD Baskonia and Bilbao Athletic.
Arriving in RCD Espanyol in July 2002, he spent two seasons with its B side, also having a loan season at SD Eibar in the second division. Iraizoz was the squad's second-choice goalkeeper, behind Carlos Kameni, for the 2006–07 season, but was the regular in the club's brilliant run in the UEFA Cup.[1][2] Despite being from Navarre, he learned to speak fluent Catalan.
On 7 August 2007, Iraizoz signed for Athletic Bilbao for €4.6 million, returning to the club he spent one 1/2 seasons with,[3] this time as the undisputed starter. However, due to a severe injury he was left out of the squad for the second part of the season.[4] His place (and shirt number) was taken by 37-year-old Armando, signed from Cádiz CF until the end of 2007–08.
In the following seasons, Iraizoz rarely missed a game in La Liga for Athletic. On 16 January 2010 his Man of the match performance helped the club hold on to its early home lead against Real Madrid, constantly denying Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts.[5]
Honours
- Espanyol
- Spanish Cup: 2005–06
- UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2006–07
- Athletic Bilbao
- UEFA Europa League: Runner-up 2011–12
- Spanish Cup: Runner-up 2008–09, 2011–12
- Spanish Supercup: Runner-up 2009
References
- ↑ Iraizoz hoping for career highlight; UEFA.com, 26 April 2007
- ↑ Iraizoz 'knackered' but proud; UEFA.com, 17 May 2007
- ↑ Athletic swoop to capture Iraizoz; UEFA.com, 7 August 2007
- ↑ Athletic lose Iraizoz for season; UEFA.com, 18 January 2008
- ↑ Llorente header sinks Real; ESPN Soccernet, 16 January 2010
External links
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