Mikel Labaka

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

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Labaka and the second or maternal family name is Zurriarain.
Mikel Labaka
Labaka in action for Real Sociedad in 2011
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)
Playing position(s) Centre back
Club 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)
National team
2005–2012 Basque Country 8 (1)
Teams managed
2014–2016 Real Sociedad B (assistant)
2016– Real Sociedad (assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He amassed La Liga totals of 111 matches and five goals during six seasons, representing in the competition Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111 games and eight goals in 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.

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, 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 level.[3] He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.

On 7 June 2016, Labaka was named assistant coach at his main club, after nearly two years in the same capacity with the B-side.[4]

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References
  1. "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.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. "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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