Gorka Elustondo

Gorka Elustondo

Elustondo playing for Real Sociedad in 2014
Personal information
Full nameGorka Elustondo Urkola
Date of birth18 March 1987
Place of birthBeasain, Spain
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing positionDefensive midfielder / Centre back
Club information
Current team
Real Sociedad
Number4
Youth career
Aitzgorri
2004–2005Real Sociedad
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2007Real Sociedad B64(6)
2006–Real Sociedad142(6)
National team
2006Spain U196(0)
2007Spain U202(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 April 2015.
† Appearances (Goals).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Elustondo and the second or maternal family name is Urkola.

Gorka Elustondo Urkola (born 18 March 1987 in Beasain, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Sociedad mainly as a defensive midfielder but also as a central defender.

Club career

A product of Real Sociedad's prolific youth ranks, Elustondo made his La Liga debut on 20 December 2006 in a 0–0 away draw against Celta de Vigo.[1] He amassed a further five first-team appearances in his first professional season, as the Basque met top division relegation for the first time in 40 years.

In late October 2008, with Real in the second division, in a home derby against Deportivo Alavés, Elustondo suffered a serious knee injury (which later relapsed), being rendered unavailable for the campaign's remainder.[2] He contributed with 30 games – 26 starts – and one goal[3] in 2009–10, helping the Txuriurdin return to the main category of Spanish football after three years, as champions.

International career

Elustondo was part of the under-19 squad that won the 2006 UEFA European Championship, in Poland.

Honours

Club

Real Sociedad

Country

Spain U19

References

  1. ↑ Balaídos sigue estando maldito para el Celta (Balaídos still cursed for Celta); El Mundo, 20 December 2006 (Spanish)
  2. ↑ Una vuelta sin Elustondo (21 matches without Elustondo); El Mundo Deportivo, 26 February 2009 (Spanish)
  3. ↑ La Real Sociedad se da un festín en Anoeta y golea a un débil Cádiz (Real Sociedad has a ball at Anoeta and routs weak Cádiz); El Mundo, 10 January 2010 (Spanish)

External links