Fernando Amorebieta

Football player infobox
playername = Fernando Amorebieta

---

fullname = Fernando Amorebieta Mardaras
height = height|m=1.92
nickname = 85 kg
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|3|29
cityofbirth = Cantaura
countryofbirth = Venezuela
Nationality = |
currentclub = Athletic Bilbao
clubnumber = 5
position = Central defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2003–2004
2004–2005
2005–
clubs = CD Baskonia
Bilbao Athletic
Athletic Bilbao
caps(goals) = 26 (1)
24 (1)
76 (0)
nationalyears = 2008–
nationalteam = Spain
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = August 1, 2008
ntupdate =

Fernando Amorebieta Mardaras, Amorebieta (born March 29, 1985 in Cantaura, Anzoátegui, Venezuela), is a Spanish-Venezuelan football player. He plays for Athletic Bilbao as a central defender.

Amorebieta met Athletic Bilbao's eligibility standards, having been raised in the region, and through his parents, both of whom are from the Basque Country. He debuted for the first team in 2005-06, becoming an undisputed first-choice in the subsequent seasons.

Amorebieta expressed his interest in playing for "La Vinotinto"; however, according to FIFA association rules, he should have switched codes prior to the age of 21, having previously played for the Spain in the youth categories. In June 2007, he returned to Venezuela to play for the "Euskadi" (a non-FIFA affiliate) against Venezuela, in San Cristóbal in a 4-3 Basque win. The friendly match was the grand opening for the 43.000 all-seated "Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo", after 2 years of construction for the Copa América 2007.

In August 2008, Amorebieta was called by new Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, for a friendly against Denmark, alongside teammate Andoni Iraola. However, he did not leave the bench.

References

External links

* [http://www.athletic-club.net/acc/home.asp?a=1&b=250&equipo=1&jug=557&idi=2 Athletic Bilbao profile]
* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=7622 Stats at Liga de Fútbol Profesional] es icon
* [http://www.fernandoamorebieta.com/main.asp?id=1&idi=1 Official website]