Xabi Etxebarria
Encyclopedia
Xabier 'Xabi' Etxebarria Larrabide (born 20 July 1987 in Igorre
, Biscay
) is a Spanish
professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
in the Spanish first division
, as a defender
.
from Tercera División
side Zamudio SD in 2008, initially brought up to its reserve team
. He made his first appearance for the main squad in a 5–0 friendly
match victory against Aviron Bayonnais FC
on 3 September 2008. Three months later, he started and scored in a 7–2 friendly match victory over amateurs JD Somorrostro.
On 7 December 2008, Etxebarria made his La Liga
debut for Athletic, as an 89th minute substitute in a 1–1 draw at Racing de Santander
, replacing midfielder
David López
.
Igorre
Igorre is a municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:*...
, 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 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 defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Club career
Etxebarria was signed by 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...
from Tercera División
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:...
side Zamudio SD in 2008, initially brought up to its reserve team
Bilbao Athletic
Bilbao Athletic is a Spanish football club based in Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country...
. He made his first appearance for the main squad in a 5–0 friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
match victory against Aviron Bayonnais FC
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 3 September 2008. Three months later, he started and scored in a 7–2 friendly match victory over amateurs JD Somorrostro.
On 7 December 2008, Etxebarria made his 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...
debut for Athletic, as an 89th minute substitute in a 1–1 draw at Racing de Santander
Racing de Santander
Real Racing Club de Santander, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Santander, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. Founded in 1913, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio El Sardinero, with a capacity for 22,400 spectators....
, replacing midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
David López
David López Moreno
David López Moreno is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a midfielder.-Football career:...
.