Mikel Labaka
|
Labaka in action for Real Sociedad in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mikel Labaka Zurriarain | ||
| Date of birth | 10 August 1980 | ||
| Place of birth | Azpeitia, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1996–1997 | Lagun Onak | ||
| 1997–1999 | Real Sociedad | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2002 | Real Sociedad B | 106 | (8) |
| 2002–2011 | Real Sociedad | 173 | (10) |
| 2002–2003 | → Real Unión (loan) | 35 | (1) |
| 2003–2004 | → Ciudad Murcia (loan) | 26 | (2) |
| 2011–2013 | Rayo Vallecano | 23 | (1) |
| Total | 363 | (22) | |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Mikel Labaka Zurriarain (born 10 August 1980) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender.
He amassed La Liga totals of 111 games and five goals over the course of six seasons, representing in the competition Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111/8 in Segunda División, in a 14-year professional career.
Football career
Born in Azpeitia, Basque Country, Labaka reached Real Sociedad's youth system at the age of 17. After playing three years with the reserves he made his professional debuts with Real Unión (Segunda División B) and Ciudad de Murcia (Segunda División), spending one season with each club on loan.
On 24 October 2004, Labaka made his first-team – and La Liga – debut with Real Sociedad, in a 2–1 home win against RCD Mallorca,[1] and finished his first season with 30 games and three goals to help the Txuriurdin finish in 14th position. He only appeared in 11 league matches in 2006–07 as they suffered relegation for the first time in 40 years, but regained first-choice status in the following campaigns.[2]
In August 2011, 31-year-old Labaka was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Philippe Montanier, and left Real to sign for Rayo Vallecano, freshly promoted to the top level.[3] He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.
References
- ↑ "De Paula premia a una ofensiva Real Sociedad" [De Paula gives prize to attacking Real Sociedad] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ↑ "Decisiva temporada para Aranburu y Labaka" [Decisive season to Aranburu and Labaka] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 25 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ↑ "Labaka se convierte en nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Labaka becomes new Rayo Vallecano player] (in Spanish). Marca. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
External links
- Mikel Labaka profile at BDFutbol
- Mikel Labaka profile at Soccerway