Jorge Azkoitia
Encyclopedia
Jorge Azkoitia Gabiola (born 27 April 1974 in Bilbao
, Biscay
) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
, in the third level
, but eventually helped to the side's promotion
. However, Sestao were relegated back in 1996, and he moved to Basque
neighbours Deportivo Alavés
.
At Alavés, Azkoitia proved essential in 1997–98, with 39 matches and four goals, in an eventual top flight
return after a four-decade absence. He was relatively used in the subsequent seasons, but had few games in 2000–01, as Alavés achieved an historical UEFA Cup runner-up position
.
Afterwards, Azkoitia joined Rayo Vallecano
, being scarcely used in his first season. He was an important first-team element in the next two, but the Madrid
outfit dropped two consecutive divisions, as he was sent off
four times combined.
Subsequently, Azkoitia served second division spells with Elche CF
and SD Eibar
. In 2005–06
, he netted a career-best 11 goals, but the Basque were relegated. He then joined Alicante CF
for the following season, helping it to a 2008 promotion to the "silver category".
In the 2008–09 season, Azkoitia was once again instrumental for Alicante, scoring nine goals in 33 league matches, but the Valencian
were immediately relegated back. He subsequently retired from football at the age of 35, with professional totals of 375 games and 46 goals.
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
, 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 retired 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 played as a defensive midfielder.
Football career
Azkoitia started playing professionally with local Sestao Sport ClubSestao Sport Club
Sestao Sport Club was a Spanish football club based in Sestao, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded it 1916, it held home matches at Campo Municipal de las Llanas, with a capacity of 8,900 seats.-History:...
, in the third level
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
, but eventually helped to the side's promotion
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:...
. However, Sestao were relegated back in 1996, and he moved to 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....
neighbours Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
.
At Alavés, Azkoitia proved essential in 1997–98, with 39 matches and four goals, in an eventual 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...
return after a four-decade absence. He was relatively used in the subsequent seasons, but had few games in 2000–01, as Alavés achieved an historical UEFA Cup runner-up position
2001 UEFA Cup Final
The 2001 UEFA Cup Final was an association football match between Liverpool of England and Alavés of Spain on 16 May 2001 at the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany. The showpiece event was the final match of the 2000–01 edition of Europe's secondary cup competition, the UEFA Cup. Liverpool were...
.
Afterwards, Azkoitia joined Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, being scarcely used in his first season. He was an important first-team element in the next two, but the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
outfit dropped two consecutive divisions, as he was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
four times combined.
Subsequently, Azkoitia served second division spells with Elche CF
Elche CF
Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Elche, Alicante, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1923, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, holding home matches at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, with a capacity of 38,750 seats.-Recent seasons:-Season to...
and 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 2005–06
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...
, he netted a career-best 11 goals, but the Basque were relegated. He then joined Alicante CF
Alicante CF
Alicante Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1918, it plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home matches at Ciudad Deportiva Villafranqueza.-History:...
for the following season, helping it to a 2008 promotion to the "silver category".
In the 2008–09 season, Azkoitia was once again instrumental for Alicante, scoring nine goals in 33 league matches, but the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
were immediately relegated back. He subsequently retired from football at the age of 35, with professional totals of 375 games and 46 goals.