Gorka Iraizoz

Gorka Iraizoz

Personal information
Full name	Gorka Iraizoz Moreno
Date of birth	6 March 1981 (1981-03-06) (age 30)
Place of birth	Pamplona, Spain
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Athletic Bilbao
Number	1
Youth career
1998–1999	Chantrea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Baskonia	20	(0)
2000–2001	Bilbao Athletic	0	(0)
2001	→ Gernika (loan)	14	(0)
2001–2002	Gernika	36	(0)
2002–2004	Espanyol B	59	(0)
2004–2007	Espanyol	23	(0)
2004–2005	→ Eibar (loan)	41	(0)
2007–	Athletic Bilbao	134	(0)
National team
2006–	Basque Country	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 November 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Iraizoz and the second or maternal family name is Moreno.

Gorka Iraizoz Moreno (born 6 March 1981) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish first division, as a goalkeeper.

Football career

Iraizoz was born in Pamplona, Navarre. After beginning his football career with local UDC Chantrea, he moved to the Basque Country with Athletic de Bilbao, serving stints with affiliates CD Baskonia and Bilbao Athletic.

Arriving in RCD Espanyol in July 2002, he spent two seasons with its B side, also having a loan season at SD Eibar in the second division. Iraizoz was the squad's second-choice goalkeeper, behind Carlos Kameni, for the 2006–07 season, but was the regular in the club's brilliant run in the UEFA Cup.^[1][2] Despite being from Navarre, he learned to speak fluent Catalan.

On 7 August 2007, Iraizoz signed for Athletic Bilbao for €4.6 million, returning to the club he spent one 1/2 seasons with,^[3] this time as the undisputed starter. However, due to a severe injury he was left out of the squad for the second part of the season.^[4] His place (and shirt number) was taken by 37-year old Armando, signed from Cádiz CF until the end of 2007–08.

In the following seasons, Iraizoz rarely missed a game in La Liga for Athletic. On 16 January 2010, his Man of the match performance helped the club hold on to its early home lead against Real Madrid, constantly denying Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts.^[5]

Honours

Espanyol

• Spanish Cup: 2005–06
• UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2006–07

Athletic Bilbao

• Spanish Cup: Runner-up 2008–09
• Spanish Supercup: Runner-up 2009

References

1. ^ Iraizoz hoping for career highlight; UEFA.com, 26 April 2007
2. ^ Iraizoz 'knackered' but proud; UEFA.com, 17 May 2007
3. ^ Athletic swoop to capture Iraizoz; UEFA.com, 7 August 2007
4. ^ Athletic lose Iraizoz for season; UEFA.com, 18 January 2008
5. ^ Llorente header sinks Real; ESPN Soccernet, 16 January 2010

External links

• Athletic Bilbao profile
• BDFutbol profile
• Transfermarkt profile

Persondata
Name	Iraizoz, Gorka
Alternative names
Short description	Footballer
Date of birth	6 March 1981
Place of birth	Pamplona, Spain
Date of death
Place of death