Mikel Labaka

Mikel Labaka Zurriarain (born 10 August 1980) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a central defender, currently assistant manager of Real Sociedad.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Labaka and the second or maternal family name is Zurriarain.
Mikel Labaka
Labaka with Real Sociedad in 2021
Personal information
Full name Mikel Labaka Zurriarain
Date of birth (1980-08-10) 10 August 1980
Place of birth Azpeitia, Spain
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Real Sociedad (assistant)
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)
International career
2005–2012 Basque Country 8 (1)
Managerial career
2014–2016 Real Sociedad B (assistant)
2016– Real Sociedad (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He amassed La Liga totals of 111 matches and five goals over six seasons, representing in the competition Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111 games and eight goals in the Segunda División, in a 14-year professional career.

Club 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 debut with Real Unión (Segunda División B) and Ciudad de Murcia (Segunda División), spending one season with each club on loan.[1]

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,[2] and finished his first season with 30 games and three goals to help the Txuriurdin to finish in 14th position.[1] 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 the following campaigns.[3]

In August 2011, the 31-year-old Labaka was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Philippe Montanier, and left Real to sign for Rayo Vallecano, recently promoted to the top tier.[4] He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.[5]

Labaka was named assistant coach at his main club on 7 June 2016, after nearly two years in the same capacity with the B side.[6]

References
  1. "Aniversario del debut de Labaka" [Anniversary of Labaka's debut] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. "De Paula premia a una ofensiva Real Sociedad" [De Paula gives prize to attacking Real Sociedad]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 24 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  3. Isasa, Xabier (25 June 2011). "Decisiva temporada para Aranburu y Labaka" [Decisive season to Aranburu and Labaka]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  4. "Labaka se convierte en nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano" [Labaka becomes new Rayo Vallecano player]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  5. "Labaka se retira a los 32 años" [Labaka retires aged 32]. El Correo (in Spanish). 24 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  6. "Cambios en el staff técnico y auxiliares del primer equipo" [Changes in technical staff and first team assistants] (in Spanish). Real Sociedad. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
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