Gorka Iraizoz
Encyclopedia
Gorka Iraizoz Moreno is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
in the Spanish first division
, as a goalkeeper.
, 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. 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, 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. 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.
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...
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 the Spanish first division
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 goalkeeper.
Football career
Iraizoz was born in PamplonaPamplona
Pamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
, Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
. After beginning his football career with local UDC Chantrea
UDC Chantrea
Unión Deportiva Cultural Chantrea is a Spanish football team based in Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre. Founded in 1952, it plays in Tercera División - Group 15, holding home games at Estadio Chantrea, with a capacity of 3,500 seats....
, he moved to the Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
with Athletic de 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...
, serving stints with affiliates 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,...
and Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic is a Spanish football club based in Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country...
.
Arriving in RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
in July 2002, he spent two seasons with its B side
RCD Espanyol B
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona B, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Founded in 1981, it is the reserve team of RCD Espanyol and plays in Tercera División, holding home matches at Ciutat Esportiva de Sant Adrià, with a...
, also having a loan season at SD Eibar
SD Eibar
Sociedad Deportiva Eibar, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team from Eibar, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded on 30 November 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B....
in the second division
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
. 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. Despite being from Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
, he learned to speak fluent Catalan
Catalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
.
On 7 August 2007, Iraizoz signed for Athletic Bilbao for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4.6 million, returning to the club he spent one 1/2 seasons with, 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. His place (and shirt number) was taken by 37-year old Armando
Armando Riveiro
Armando Riveiro de Aguilar Malda, simply Armando , is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
, signed from Cádiz CF
Cádiz CF
Cádiz Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1910, it currently plays in Segunda División B - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio Ramón de Carranza, with a 22,000-seat capacity.Salvadoran legend Mágico González, who...
until the end of 2007–08.
In the following seasons, Iraizoz rarely missed a game 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...
for Athletic. On 16 January 2010, his Man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
performance helped the club hold on to its early home lead against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
, constantly denying Kaká
Kaká
Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite , commonly known as Kaká , is a Brazilian football attacking midfielder who currently plays for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Kaká started his footballing career at the age of eight, when he began playing for a local club...
and Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
's efforts.
Honours
Espanyol- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2005–06 - UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2006–07
- Athletic Bilbao
- Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 2008–09 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: Runner-up 20092009 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2009 Supercopa de España was two-legged Spanish football match-up played on 16 August and 23 August 2009. It was contested by Athletic Bilbao, the 2008–09 Copa del Rey runners-up, and FC Barcelona, the 2008–09 Primera División Winners....
- Spanish Cup