Ander Iturraspe
Encyclopedia
Ander Iturraspe Derteano (born 8 March 1989 in Abadiño
, Biscay
) is a Spanish
professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
in La Liga
, as a defensive midfielder.
in 1999, at the age of 10. He spent several seasons in the various junior levels of the club. In 2007, after 25 games for the Athletic 'A' youth team, Iturraspe moved to feeder club CD Baskonia
, in the fourth level
.
On 12 March 2008, Iturraspe started for the first team in a 6–1 friendly win against Zalla UC
. Towards the end of the league season, he also played in friendly matches against Club Portugalete
and Aviron Bayonnais
.
On June 23, 2008, after a total of 30 games for Baskonia, Iturraspe was officially promoted to the Athletic senior team, being issued with the squad number 26.
On 14 September, he made his first top flight
appearance, a start in a 0–0 draw at Málaga CF
, in the same match as another club graduate, Mikel Balenziaga
. His second appearance came as a substitute in the club's 2–0 home win against Real Valladolid
.
Iturraspe made his second start for Athletic in a Spanish Cup match against Recreativo de Huelva
, where he was replaced at half-time by Pablo Orbaiz
.
Abadiño
Abadiño is a town located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the north of Spain, about 35 km from the provincial capital of Bilbao....
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
) is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Iturraspe joined Athletic BilbaoAthletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in 1999, at the age of 10. He spent several seasons in the various junior levels of the club. In 2007, after 25 games for the Athletic 'A' youth team, Iturraspe moved to feeder club CD Baskonia
CD Baskonia
Club Deportivo Baskonia is a Spanish football club based in Basauri, Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in Tercera División, holding home games at Estadio de López Cortázar, with a 8,500-seat capacity.-History:Founded in 1913 as CD Basconia,...
, in the fourth level
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
.
On 12 March 2008, Iturraspe started for the first team in a 6–1 friendly win against Zalla UC
Zalla UC
Zalla Unión Club is a Spanish football team based in Zalla, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1925, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio Landaberri, with a capacity of 3,500 seats....
. Towards the end of the league season, he also played in friendly matches against Club Portugalete
Club Portugalete
Club Portugalete is a Spanish football team based in Portugalete, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1944, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio La Florida, with a capacity of 3,000 seaters....
and Aviron Bayonnais
Aviron Bayonnais FC
Aviron Bayonnais Football Club is a French association football club based in Bayonne. The club is a part of a sports club that was formed in 1904 that is also known for its rugby union club. The football club was founded in 1935 and currently play in the Championnat National, the third level of...
.
On June 23, 2008, after a total of 30 games for Baskonia, Iturraspe was officially promoted to the Athletic senior team, being issued with the squad number 26.
On 14 September, he made his first top flight
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
appearance, a start in a 0–0 draw at Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
, in the same match as another club graduate, Mikel Balenziaga
Mikel Balenziaga
Mikel Balenziaga Oruesagasti is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Valladolid as a left defender.-Club career:...
. His second appearance came as a substitute in the club's 2–0 home win against Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
.
Iturraspe made his second start for Athletic in a Spanish Cup match against Recreativo de Huelva
Recreativo de Huelva
Real Club Recreativo de Huelva, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Huelva, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 23 December 1889, it is the oldest football team in Spain, and currently plays in the second division, holding home games at Estadio Nuevo Colombino, which has a...
, where he was replaced at half-time by Pablo Orbaiz
Pablo Orbaiz
Pablo Orbaiz Lesaka is a Spanish footballer who plays for Olympiacos F.C. on loan from Athletic Bilbao, as a defensive midfielder.-Club career:...
.