Iban Zubiaurre Urrutia
Encyclopedia
Iban Zubiaurre Urrutia (born 22 January 1983 in Mendaro
, Gipuzkoa) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
mainly as a right defender.
first-team debuts during 2004–05
, Zubiaurre achieved notoriety as a result of a lawsuit in which his first club prevented him from playing for Athletic de Bilbao
for 14 months, due to an alleged illegality in his transference between the two Basque
clubs.
Zubiaurre, who represented Real Sociedad at youth level, was 'presented' as new Athletic Bilbao player in 2005 by then club president Fernando Lamikiz, despite still being under contract. Zubiaurre had no permission to rescind his contract, which had a year left to run and a buy-out clause of €
33 million. Real Sociedad insisted that Athletic pay the entire amount and, during the subsequent legal battle, the player was not entitled to play professional football. SCD Durango
, a regional club, asked permission to field him, but were denied.
15 months after the lawsuit began, a judge ruled that Athletic had to pay Real Sociedad €5 million, and were granted permission to field Zubiaurre for the 2006–07 season. He was presented for a second time at San Mamés Stadium
on 16 November 2006, and was given the number 12 shirt.
On 11 February 2007, Zubiaurre played his first La Liga
match for Athletic against Atlético de Madrid, as a substitute in a 1–0 away defeat. That was to be his only game of the season, in which his team avoided relegation on the very last matchday.
In 2007–08 Zubiaurre also only appeared once, in an 31 October 2007 loss at Getafe CF
(0–2). After almost two years in the sidelines, he left the side to gain more playing time, joining second level
outfit Elche CF
, on a season-long loan.
Returned to Athletic for 2009–10
, Zubiaurre's season input consisted of 15 minutes against FK Austria Wien
(3–0 win at home), for the UEFA Europa League group stage. In July 2010, another loan ensued, also in the second division, as he joined Albacete Balompié
.
Zubiaurre was deemed surplus to requirements at Athletic in 2011–12
after the appointment of manager Marcelo Bielsa
, alongside teammates Koikili
and Aitor Ocio
. He remained with the team however.
Mendaro
Mendaro is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.-External links:* Information available in Spanish and Basque.* Information available in Spanish...
, Gipuzkoa) 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 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...
mainly as a right defender.
Football career
After making his 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...
first-team debuts during 2004–05
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
, Zubiaurre achieved notoriety as a result of a lawsuit in which his first club prevented him from playing for 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...
for 14 months, due to an alleged illegality in his transference between the two 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....
clubs.
Zubiaurre, who represented Real Sociedad at youth level, was 'presented' as new Athletic Bilbao player in 2005 by then club president Fernando Lamikiz, despite still being under contract. Zubiaurre had no permission to rescind his contract, which had a year left to run and a buy-out clause of €
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,...
33 million. Real Sociedad insisted that Athletic pay the entire amount and, during the subsequent legal battle, the player was not entitled to play professional football. SCD Durango
SCD Durango
Sociedad Cultural Deportiva Durango is a football team based in Durango in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1919, its plays in Tercera División - Group 4...
, a regional club, asked permission to field him, but were denied.
15 months after the lawsuit began, a judge ruled that Athletic had to pay Real Sociedad €5 million, and were granted permission to field Zubiaurre for the 2006–07 season. He was presented for a second time at San Mamés Stadium
San Mamés Stadium
Estadio San Mamés, AKA La Catedral , is a football stadium in Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. The stadium is the home of Athletic Bilbao, known as "Los leones de San Mamés-Bilboko lehoiak" . They are known as Los leones because their stadium was built near a church called San Mamés...
on 16 November 2006, and was given the number 12 shirt.
On 11 February 2007, Zubiaurre played his first 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...
match for Athletic against Atlético de Madrid, as a substitute in a 1–0 away defeat. That was to be his only game of the season, in which his team avoided relegation on the very last matchday.
In 2007–08 Zubiaurre also only appeared once, in an 31 October 2007 loss at Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
(0–2). After almost two years in the sidelines, he left the side to gain more playing time, joining second level
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:...
outfit 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...
, on a season-long loan.
Returned to Athletic for 2009–10
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, Zubiaurre's season input consisted of 15 minutes against FK Austria Wien
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
(3–0 win at home), for the UEFA Europa League group stage. In July 2010, another loan ensued, also in the second division, as he joined Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
.
Zubiaurre was deemed surplus to requirements at Athletic in 2011–12
2011–12 La Liga
The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012...
after the appointment of manager Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
, alongside teammates Koikili
Koikili Lertxundi
Koikili Lertxundi del Campo, simply Koikili , or Koi for short, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a left defender.-Football career:...
and Aitor Ocio
Aitor Ocio
Aitor Ocio Carrión is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a central defender.-Club career:...
. He remained with the team however.
Honours
Spain U19- UEFA U-19 ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20022002 UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe 2002 UEFA Under-19 Championship was held in Norway between 21 July and 28 July 2002. The top three finishers in each group qualified for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Players born on or after 1 January 1983 were eligible to participate in this competition.It was the first tournament...