Xabier 'Xabi' Castillo Aranburu (born 29 March 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Xabier Castillo Aranburu | ||
| Date of birth | (1986-03-29) 29 March 1986 (age 36) | ||
| Place of birth | Durango, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1995–1996 | Ikastola Maiztegi | ||
| 1996–2001 | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| 2001–2003 | Durango | ||
| 2003–2004 | Real Sociedad | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Real Sociedad B | 55 | (2) |
| 2006–2009 | Real Sociedad | 71 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | → Las Palmas (loan) | 31 | (0) |
| 2009–2013 | Athletic Bilbao | 37 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Las Palmas | 27 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Alavés | 13 | (0) |
| Total | 234 | (3) | |
| National team | |||
| 2005 | Spain U19 | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in Durango, Biscay, Castillo came up through the ranks at Athletic Bilbao, but made his senior debut with Basque neighbours Real Sociedad, where he had finished his football development.[1] His first professional experience came with UD Las Palmas on loan, in 2006–07's Segunda División. In his first two seasons with Real Sociedad's first team he was first choice, in the same level.
On 15 July 2009, Castillo returned his first alma mater and signed a four-year deal.[2] He made his La Liga debut in the campaign opener (30 August 2009), a 1–0 home win against RCD Espanyol,[3] and made a total of 45 competitive appearances in his first two years.[4]
Castillo spent the entire 2011–12 on the sidelines, due to a patellar ligament injury.[5] Upon returning he was only a fringe player,[6] being released by the Marcelo Bielsa-led squad in June 2013 after his contract expired[7] and returning to former club Las Palmas.[8]
On 10 July 2014, Castillo joined Deportivo Alavés also of the second tier.[9]