Iñigo Vélez
Encyclopedia
Iñigo Vélez de Mendizábal Fernández de Garaialde (born 15 March 1982 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava
), known as Iñigo, is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Xerez CD
as a forward.
, Espanyol's B team
and Sociedad Deportiva Eibar
(the latter in the second division
, where he scored four goals in 40 contests although the side was finally relegated
).
In 2007–08, Íñigo played in the top flight
with Real Murcia
, in another relegation-ending season. He made his debut in the competition as a late substitute in a 0–2 away loss against Villarreal CF
on 23 September 2007, netting two months later in a 1–1 draw at RCD Mallorca
.
The following season, upon Murcia's relegation, Vélez joined Athletic Bilbao
, but took almost no part whatsoever in the Basque
side's campaign (only four league matches). In late July 2009, his contract was mutually rescinded, and he joined relegated CD Numancia
on a three-year contract, with Athletic being able to re-buy in 2010 or 2011. Former Athletic teammate Joseba Garmendia
also made the move.
Iñigo continued playing in the second level in 2011–12, penning a two-year contract with Xerez CD
.
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
), known as Iñigo, 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...
footballer who plays for Xerez CD
Xerez CD
Xerez Club Deportivo, S.A.D., usually just Xerez, is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia...
as a forward.
Football career
Vélez began his career in the lower leagues, playing for teams such as CD Aurrerá de VitoriaCD Aurrerá de Vitoria
Club Deportivo Aurrerá de Vitoria is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria, Álava, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1935, it currently plays in Regional Preferente de Álava, holding home matches at Estadio Olaranbe, with a 4,000-seat capacity....
, Espanyol's B team
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...
and Sociedad Deportiva 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....
(the latter 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:...
, where he scored four goals in 40 contests although the side was finally relegated
2005–06 Segunda División
-Classification 2005–06:-Relegated to Segunda División B:* UE Lleida -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 3* Ferrol -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 1* Eibar -- Relegated to Segunda División B - Group 4...
).
In 2007–08, Íñigo played in the 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...
with Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
, in another relegation-ending season. He made his debut in the competition as a late substitute in a 0–2 away loss against Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
on 23 September 2007, netting two months later in a 1–1 draw at RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
.
The following season, upon Murcia's relegation, Vélez joined 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...
, but took almost no part whatsoever in the Basque
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....
side's campaign (only four league matches). In late July 2009, his contract was mutually rescinded, and he joined relegated CD Numancia
CD Numancia
Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other...
on a three-year contract, with Athletic being able to re-buy in 2010 or 2011. Former Athletic teammate Joseba Garmendia
Joseba Garmendia
Joseba Garmendia Elorriaga is a Spanish footballer who plays for Girona FC in the Spanish second division, as a midfielder.-Football career:...
also made the move.
Iñigo continued playing in the second level in 2011–12, penning a two-year contract with Xerez CD
Xerez CD
Xerez Club Deportivo, S.A.D., usually just Xerez, is a Spanish football team based in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia...
.