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Txiki Begiristain

Txiki Begiristain
Personal information
Full name Aitor Begiristain Mujika
Date of birth (1964-08-12) 12 August 1964 (age 52)
Place of birth Olaberria, Spain
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7 12 in)
Playing position Winger
Youth career
Segura
Easo
1980–1982 Real Sociedad
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1988 Real Sociedad 187 (23)
1988–1995 Barcelona 223 (63)
1995–1997 Deportivo La Coruña 43 (4)
1997–1999 Urawa Red Diamonds 61 (16)
Total 514 (106)
National team
1984–1988 Spain U21 19 (4)
1988 Spain U23 1 (0)
1988–1994 Spain 22 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Aitor "Txiki" Begiristain Mujika (born 12 August 1964) is a retired Spanish footballer who played mainly a left winger but also as a forward, with equal success.

He was best known for his spells at Real Sociedad and Barcelona, winning eight major titles with the latter, including four La Liga championships and the 1992 European Cup.

Begiristain represented the Spain national team in one World Cup and one European Championship. After retiring he worked as a director of football, including with Barcelona and also at Manchester City.

Born in Olaberria, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Begiristain began his professional career with Real Sociedad in 1982 at the age of just 18, being immediately cast into the first-team's setup. After a slow start, with 16 La Liga games in his first season, he became an essential member of the side that was coached by John Toshack, also including Luis Arconada, Roberto López Ufarte, José Mari Bakero and Luis López Rekarte; the highlights of his career at Real included scoring the second goal in the 1987 Copa del Rey final against Atlético Madrid, which was eventually won on penalties after the 2–2 draw.


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