David Villabona
Encyclopedia
David Villabona Echalecu (born 5 December 1969 in Irun
, Gipuzkoa) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played mostly as a central midfielder.
During his professional career, he played for both Real Sociedad
and Athletic Bilbao
, and was also a member of the Spanish side
that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics
in Barcelona
.
, but only amassed seven first division
appearances in his first three seasons, being an undisputed starter however in 1989–90, as he helped the Basque
to a final fifth place.
Subsequently, Villabona joined neighbours Athletic de Bilbao
, being regularly used at the beginning, but very little in his final season, facing stiff competition from Josu Urrutia
and youngster Julen Guerrero
.
His most steady period was lived at Racing de Santander
, being a very important midfield element for the Cantabria
ns; however, due to recurrent injuries, he only appeared 12 times from 1997–2001 combined (none in the latter, as Racing finished second from the bottom), and retired at 31.
Irun
Irun is a town of the Bidasoa-Txingudi region in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain...
, Gipuzkoa) 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 mostly as a central midfielder.
During his professional career, he played for both Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
and 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...
, and was also a member of the Spanish side
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
.
Football career
In a career blighted by injuries, Villabona started playing professionally with Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, but only amassed seven 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...
appearances in his first three seasons, being an undisputed starter however in 1989–90, as he helped 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....
to a final fifth place.
Subsequently, Villabona joined neighbours 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...
, being regularly used at the beginning, but very little in his final season, facing stiff competition from Josu Urrutia
Josu Urrutia
Josu Urrutia Tellería is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.His 17-year senior career was solely connected with Athletic Bilbao, for which he appeared in 348 La Liga games over the course of 16 seasons .-Club career:A product of the Athletic de Bilbao youth academy,...
and youngster Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero López is a retired Spanish footballer who played solely for Athletic Club de Bilbao.Ambidextrous, the attacking midfielder was mainly known for his skills and shooting ability...
.
His most steady period was lived 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....
, being a very important midfield element for the Cantabria
Cantabria
Cantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
ns; however, due to recurrent injuries, he only appeared 12 times from 1997–2001 combined (none in the latter, as Racing finished second from the bottom), and retired at 31.