Iñaki Goitia Peña
Encyclopedia
Iñaki Goitia Peña is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Real Betis
as a goalkeeper.
, Biscay
. After starting with modest outfits in the Basque region
, he moved in 2003–04 to Málaga CF
, spending his first two seasons with its B side
, by then in the second division
. In February 2006, he made two top flight
appearances, in two defeats in which he conceded seven goals, in a season
that would end in relegation, while the B club would also drop down a level
.
In 2007–08, Goitia finally won the battle for first-choice status over longtime incumbent Francesc Arnau
, appearing in 41 out of 42 matches, as the Andalusia
ns returned to the top level after two years. The following campaign, however, Arnau began as the starter but, after some costly mistakes, Goitia was reinstated.
Late during the season, despite having a contract running until June 30, 2009, Goitia refused to play against his future team Real Betis
fearing that he would be criticized if he allowed goals (as his future team was fighting to avoid relegation). The four-year deal was officialized in early June 2009.
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 Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Goitia was born in BarakaldoBarakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
, 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...
. After starting with modest outfits in the Basque region
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....
, he moved in 2003–04 to Málaga CF
Málaga CF
Málaga Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Málaga, Andalusia. The team currently plays in Spain's La Liga.Málaga CF is generally seen as the successor to CD Málaga, one of the most historical Andalusian football clubs, by being a near-identical looking football club that even shares...
, spending his first two seasons with its B side
Atlético Malagueño
Atlético Malagueño, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1990, it is the reserve team of Málaga CF, and currently plays in Tercera División - Group 9....
, by then 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:...
. In February 2006, he made two 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...
appearances, in two defeats in which he conceded seven goals, in a season
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
that would end in relegation, while the B club would also drop down a level
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, Goitia finally won the battle for first-choice status over longtime incumbent Francesc Arnau
Francesc Arnau
Francesc Xavier Arnau Grabulosa is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper....
, appearing in 41 out of 42 matches, as the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
ns returned to the top level after two years. The following campaign, however, Arnau began as the starter but, after some costly mistakes, Goitia was reinstated.
Late during the season, despite having a contract running until June 30, 2009, Goitia refused to play against his future team Real Betis
Real Betis
Real Betis Balompié S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded on 12 September 1907, it currently plays in La Liga, holding home games at Estadio Benito Villamarín....
fearing that he would be criticized if he allowed goals (as his future team was fighting to avoid relegation). The four-year deal was officialized in early June 2009.