Agustín Aranzábal Alkorta (Spanish pronunciation: [aɣusˈtin aɾanˈθaβal alˈkoɾta]; born 15 March 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Agustín Aranzábal Alkorta[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1973-03-15) 15 March 1973 (age 49)[1] | ||
Place of birth | Bergara, Spain[1] | ||
Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Left-back | ||
Youth career | |||
1984–1987 | Bergara | ||
1987–1991 | Real Sociedad | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1991–1994 | Real Sociedad B | 90 | (14) |
1993–2004 | Real Sociedad | 322 | (5) |
2004–2007 | Zaragoza | 31 | (0) |
2007–2008 | Vera | 0 | (0) |
2010 | Kitchee | 0 | (0) |
Total | 443 | (19) | |
National team | |||
1994–1996 | Spain U21 | 9 | (0) |
1996 | Spain U23 | 4 | (0) |
1995–2003 | Spain | 28 | (0) |
1995–2003 | Basque Country | 8 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
His main asset was his crossing ability, and he played almost exclusively with Real Sociedad, which he represented for more than ten years, appearing in 353 competitive matches.[2]
Aranzábal was also a Spanish international, and played for the country in one World Cup and one European Championship.
Aranzábal was born in Bergara, Gipuzkoa. A product of Basque Country giants Real Sociedad's youth system, he first appeared with the main squad on 21 February 1993, in a 5–1 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña. After three full seasons with the reserves, he went on to be an undisputed first-choice for one decade, for instance playing 32 games for the 2002–03 runners-up.
In July 2004, still in La Liga, Aranzábal moved to Real Zaragoza, where he was used mainly as a backup to Paraguayan Delio Toledo.[3] He retired after a small stint with amateur side CD Vera in the Canary Islands, with ex-Spain international (also a Real Sociedad teammate) Javier de Pedro also starting the campaign but being promptly dismissed.[4]
In early 2010, Kitchee SC from Hong Kong signed Aranzábal alongside compatriot Albert Celades. They both appeared with the club at the 2010 Lunar New Year Cup, a mid-season exhibition tournament.[5]
Aranzábal earned 28 caps for Spain.[6] His debut was on 7 June 1995 in a UEFA Euro 1996 qualifier against Armenia in Seville,[7] and he was a participant at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000.[8][6]
Aranzábal also appeared for the quarter-finalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics.[9][6]
Aranzábal's father, José Agustín, was also a footballer. A midfielder, he too played for Real Sociedad and Spain.[10]
Spain U21
Spain squads | |||||||||||||
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