Xabier Etxeita
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Xabier Etxeita Gorritxategi | ||
| Date of birth | 31 October 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Club information | |||
|
Current team
|
Athletic Bilbao | ||
| Number | 16 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Amorebieta | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2006 | Amorebieta | ||
| 2006–2009 | Bilbao Athletic | 66 | (7) |
| 2008–2010 | Athletic Bilbao | 17 | (1) |
| 2010 | → Cartagena (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2010–2013 | Elche | 97 | (5) |
| 2013– | Athletic Bilbao | 64 | (2) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2015– | Spain | 1 | (0) |
| 2014– | Basque Country | 3 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:49, 28 May 2017 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 December 2016 |
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Xabier Etxeita Gorritxategi (born 31 October 1987) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao mainly as a central defender.
Born in Zornotza, Biscay, Etxeita finished his development within Athletic Bilbao's prolific youth ranks at Lezama, after playing with hometown club SD Amorebieta. His first three games with the first team of the former, all in 2008–09's La Liga, were not without incidents: in his first, a 2–0 home win against neighbours CA Osasuna on 16 November 2008, he subbed in for injured Ustaritz, being sent off in the following against CD Numancia (same venue and result). On 21 December, he replaced Ander Murillo who also retired before half-time due to injury, in a 1–0 success at Real Betis; during the season, however, he was mainly registered with the B-side.
In the very last days of the 2010 January transfer window, Etxeita moved on a five-month loan to FC Cartagena in the second division. On 16 July 2010 he left Athletic and signed with another club in that level, Elche CF, quickly going on to establish himself in the starting XI.
On 4 June 2013, after contributing with 40 games and four goals as the Valencian Community team returned to the top level after more than 20 years, Etxeita returned to Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer. He only made his official debut on 7 April of the following year, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 away win over Levante UD.
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