Xabi_Castillo
Xabi Castillo
Spanish footballer
Xabier 'Xabi' Castillo Aranburu (born 29 March 1986) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Xabier Castillo Aranburu | ||
| Date of birth | (1986-03-29) 29 March 1986 (age 38) | ||
| Place of birth | Durango, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1995–1996 | Ikastola Maiztegi | ||
| 1996–2001 | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| 2001–2003 | Durango | ||
| 2003–2004 | Real Sociedad | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2006 | Real Sociedad B | 55 | (2) |
| 2006–2009 | Real Sociedad | 71 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | → Las Palmas (loan) | 31 | (0) |
| 2009–2013 | Athletic Bilbao | 37 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Las Palmas | 27 | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | Alavés | 13 | (0) |
| Total | 234 | (3) | |
| International career | |||
| 2005 | Spain U19 | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Born in Durango, Biscay, Castillo came up through the ranks at Athletic Bilbao, but made his senior debut with Basque neighbours Real Sociedad, where he had finished his football development.[1] His first professional experience came with UD Las Palmas on loan, in 2006–07's Segunda División. In his first two seasons with Real Sociedad's first team he was first choice, in the same level.
On 15 July 2009, Castillo returned his first alma mater and signed a four-year deal.[2] He made his La Liga debut in the campaign opener (30 August 2009), a 1–0 home win against RCD Espanyol,[3] and made a total of 45 competitive appearances in his first two years.[4]
Castillo spent the entire 2011–12 on the sidelines, due to a patellar ligament injury.[5] Upon returning he was only a fringe player,[6] being released by the Marcelo Bielsa-led squad in June 2013 after his contract expired[7] and returning to former club Las Palmas.[8]
On 10 July 2014, Castillo joined Deportivo Alavés also of the second tier.[9]
- "Athletic Club-Real Sociedad: jugadores en los dos bandos" [Athletic Club-Real Sociedad: players on both sides]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 9 May 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- "Signing of Xabi Castillo". Athletic Bilbao. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
- "Athletic Bilbao 1–0 Espanyol". ESPN Soccernet. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- González, Laura (16 July 2012). "La reválida de Xabi Castillo" [New chance for Xabi Castillo]. El Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- "Xabi Castillo, operado con éxito" [Xabi Castillo, surgery was a success]. Marca (in Spanish). 22 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- García, Alberto (23 May 2013). "Tratamiento distinto para Xabi Castillo" [Different treatment for Xabi Castillo]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 July 2013.
- "Athletic no se despide de Bielsa, Llorente y Amorebieta" [Athletic does not say goodbye to Bielsa, Llorente and Amorebieta] (in Spanish). Goal. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
- Artiles Castellano, Alberto (10 July 2013). "Xabi Castillo vuelve a Las Palmas" [Xabi Castillo returns to Las Palmas]. Canarias7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- "El Deportivo Alavés ficha a Xabi Castillo" [Deportivo Alavés sign Xabi Castillo] (in Spanish). Deportivo Alavés. 10 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- Xabi Castillo at Athletic Bilbao
- Xabi Castillo at BDFutbol
- Xabi Castillo at Soccerway