Login
Login

Imanol Agirretxe

{{short description|Spanish footballer}}

{{family name hatnote|Agirretxe|Arruti|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Imanol Agirretxe

| image = FUTBOLISTAS LA VIDA FUERA DEL FUTBOL-KORNER 2020 (49546559938) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Agirretxe in 2020

| full_name = Imanol Agirretxe Arruti

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|24|df=y}}

| birth_place = Usurbil, Spain

| height = 1.87 m

| position = Striker

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 1996–2001 | youthclubs1 = Antiguoko{{cite web|url=https://antiguoko.org/club-jugadores-relevantes/|title=Jugadores relevantes|trans-title=Relevant players|publisher=Antiguoko KE|language=es|access-date=25 July 2017}}

| youthyears2 = 2001–2003 | youthclubs2 = Athletic Bilbao

| youthyears3 = 2003–2004 | youthclubs3 = Real Sociedad

| years1 = 2004–2008 | clubs1 = Real Sociedad B | caps1 = 108 | goals1 = 33

| years2 = 2005–2018 | clubs2 = Real Sociedad | caps2 = 246 | goals2 = 71

| years3 = 2007 | clubs3 = → Castellón (loan) | caps3 = 8 | goals3 = 1

| totalcaps = 362 | totalgoals = 105

| nationalyears1 = 2003 | nationalteam1 = Spain U16 | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 4

| nationalyears2 = 2004–2005 | nationalteam2 = Spain U17 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2010–2015 | nationalteam3 = Basque Country | nationalcaps3 = 5 | nationalgoals3 = 3

}}

Imanol Agirretxe Arruti (born 24 February 1987) is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a striker.

Aside from a short loan spell at Castellón, his entire professional career was spent at Real Sociedad. At the latter club, he amassed competitive totals of 272 matches and 75 goals, while in La Liga alone he scored 56 times from 180 appearances.{{cite news|url=https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/agirretxe-vuelve-vestirse-20211014000430-ntvo.html|title=Agirretxe vuelve a vestirse de corto en la sesión del Sanse|trans-title=Agirretxe suits up again in Sanse's session|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|language=es|date=14 October 2021|access-date=7 July 2022}}

Club career

Born in Usurbil, Gipuzkoa, Agirretxe was a product of Real Sociedad's youth system. He first appeared with the first team in 2004–05, making three substitute appearances – in his second, a 1–3 home loss against Málaga CF on 15 May 2005, he managed to score after just 16 minutes on the pitch;{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2005/05/15/liga/1116179223.html|title=El Málaga golea a una pasiva Real|trans-title=Málaga rout passive Real|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=15 May 2005|access-date=16 March 2014}} in the following three seasons, however, he only totalled nine league matches, and also served a six-month loan spell at CD Castellón in the Segunda División.{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/castellon/es/desarrollo/732233.html|title=Agirretxe llega cedido y es el primer fichaje invernal del Castellón|trans-title=Agirretxe arrives on loan and is Castellón's first winter signing|newspaper=Marca|first=D.|last=García|language=es|date=25 January 2007|access-date=4 February 2018}}

In 2008–09's second tier, Agirretxe appeared regularly for the main squad, mainly due to the serious injury to Iñigo Díaz de Cerio.{{cite news|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/2a_division/real_sociedad/es/desarrollo/1182481.html|title=Díaz de Cerio se fractura tibia y peroné|trans-title=Díaz de Cerio fractures tibia and fibula|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=8 November 2008|access-date=14 May 2013}} He netted nine goals in 28 games, but the Basques again failed to return to La Liga.{{cite news|url=https://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus/reala/2015/11/23/agirretxe-cumple-4113064.html|title=Agirretxe siempre cumple|trans-title=Agirretxe always gets the job done|newspaper=Noticias de Gipuzkoa|first=Marco Rodrigo|last=Ruben Plaza|language=es|date=23 November 2015|access-date=7 July 2022}}

Again mainly a backup after the signing on loan of Uruguayan Carlos Bueno, Agirretxe scored six times the following campaign in 36 matches, as Real finally promoted as champions.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/06/13/primera/1592053222_569184.html|title=Diez años de un ascenso clave para la Real|trans-title=Tenth anniversary of key promotion for Real|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Roberto|last=Ramajo|language=es|date=13 June 2020|access-date=7 July 2022}} In 2011–12, following Raúl Tamudo's departure and the continuous physical problems that bothered Joseba Llorente, he was finally made first-choice, and netted three goals in his first two league games: two against Sporting de Gijón in a 2–1 away win{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=324019&cc=5739|title=Agirretxe at the double for Sociedad|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=27 August 2011|access-date=11 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102085301/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=324019&cc=5739|archive-date=2 November 2012}} and one against FC Barcelona, helping the hosts come from behind 0–2 for an eventual 2–2 draw;{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/324005?cc=5739|title=Sociedad peg Barca back|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=10 September 2011|access-date=11 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102085310/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/324005?cc=5739|archive-date=2 November 2012}} he finished with ten successful strikes, only trailing Carlos Vela in the squad.{{cite news|url=https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/polvora-mojada-disparo-2certero-0220602181759-nt-20220602183438-nt.html|title=Pólvora mojada pero disparo certero|trans-title=Wet gunpowder but deadly aim|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|first=Raúl|last=Melero|language=es|date=2 June 2022|access-date=7 July 2022}}

On 19 January 2013, Agirretxe came from the bench for the last six minutes of a home fixture against Barcelona, and scored in the last minute to seal a 3–2 comeback victory (Real Sociedad trailed 0–2 in the 40th minute) and end the Catalans' unbeaten domestic run.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/348326/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Sociedad stun Barca|publisher=ESPN FC|date=19 January 2013|access-date=21 January 2013}} At the season's end he again finished second in team scoring (13), again only behind Vela.{{cite news|url=http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/2013/04/19/la-real/si|title=Si Agirretxe gol, no problem|trans-title=If Agirretxe goal, no problem|newspaper=Noticias de Gipuzkoa|first=Ramón|last=Sánchez|language=es|date=19 April 2013|access-date=12 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630012852/http://www.noticiasdegipuzkoa.com/2013/04/19/la-real/si|archive-date=30 June 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/04/29/futbol/1adivision/1367260905.html|title=Enchufados a Agirretxe|trans-title=On Agirretxe's back|newspaper=Marca|first=Alberto|last=Ardila|language=es|date=29 April 2013|access-date=1 June 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2013/05/15/pagina-7/12673422/pdf.html|title=Una vuelta de 10|trans-title=Second part of season worth 10|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=M.|last=Encinas|language=es|date=15 May 2013|access-date=4 September 2018}}

At the start of the 2015–16 campaign, Agirretxe was in the best goalscoring form of his career, scoring 12 times in the first 13 league matches.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.es/deportes/futbol/abci-agirretxe-goleador-crecia-demasiado-201512300836_noticia.html|title=Imanol Agirretxe, el goleador que solo hablaba en euskera|trans-title=Imanol Agirretxe, the scorer who only spoke in euskera|newspaper=ABC|first=Pablo|last=Pazos|date=30 December 2015|access-date=4 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://eldesmarque.com/gipuzkoa/real-sociedad/noticias-rs/110184-agirretxe-no-jugara-mas-esta-temporada|title=Agirretxe no jugará más esta temporada|trans-title=Agirretxe will not play again this season|publisher=El Desmarque|date=8 April 2016|access-date=4 September 2018}} He suffered an injury to his left ankle during a loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on 30 December 2015,{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.es/futbol/agirretxe-se-dana-el-tobillo-izquierdo-y-deja-su-sitio-a-bruma_sto5042985/story.shtml|title=Agirretxe se daña el tobillo izquierdo y deja su sitio a Bruma|trans-title=Agirretxe hurts left ankle and makes way for Bruma|publisher=Eurosport|language=es|date=30 December 2015|access-date=5 January 2017}} and returned sooner than expected the following February, netting in a 1–1 home draw against Málaga after only seven minutes on the pitch.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/real-sociedad/2016/02/26/56d05f2de2704e8d0a8b4614.html|title=Agirretxe vuelve a estar disponible dos meses después|trans-title=Agirretxe becomes available again two months later|newspaper=Marca|first=Óscar|last=Badallo|language=es|date=26 February 2016|access-date=5 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/match/433724/real-sociedad-malaga/report|title=Real Sociedad 1–1 Málaga|publisher=ESPN FC|date=27 February 2016|access-date=5 January 2017}} Shortly after, however, he relapsed from his ailment, going on to be sidelined for more than one year;{{cite news|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/guipuzcoa/20160830/404269377314/agirretxe-cronologia-de-un-calvario.html|title=Agirretxe, cronología de un calvario|trans-title=Agirretxe, chronology of an ordeal|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=30 August 2016|access-date=5 January 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/real-sociedad/2016/10/24/580dcadce2704e075b8b45be.html|title=Agirretxe avanza hacia su recuperación definitiva|trans-title=Agirretxe heads towards definitive recovery|newspaper=Marca|first=Óscar|last=Badallo|language=es|date=24 October 2016|access-date=5 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gipuzkoagaur.com/2016/12/28/agirretxe-y-bergara-seran-los-refuerzos/|title=Agirretxe y Bergara serán los refuerzos|trans-title=Agirretxe and Bergara will be the additions|publisher=Gipuzkoa Gaur|first=Aitor|last=Ulacia|language=es|date=28 December 2016|access-date=5 January 2017}} in June 2016, while absent from playing, he renewed his contract until summer 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/agirretxe-agrees-sociedad-extension|title=Agirretxe agrees Sociedad extension|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=21 June 2016|access-date=31 January 2018}}

After impressing in the 2017–18 pre-season,{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/futbol/real-sociedad/detalle/5015446/real-sociedad-agirretxe-delantero-productivo-pretemporada/|title=Imanol Agirretxe, el delantero más productivo en la pretemporada realista|trans-title=Imanol Agirretxe, the most productive forward in the Real preseason|publisher=EITB|language=es|date=10 August 2017|access-date=22 August 2017}} Agirretxe made a return to competitive action on 19 August 2017 following a 20-month hiatus, replacing captain Xabi Prieto as their team came from behind to defeat hosts RC Celta de Vigo 3–2 in the opening round of league fixtures.{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/futbol/real-sociedad/detalle/5030253/laliga-la-real-sociedad-se-estrena-victoria-ganar-23-al-celta/|title=La Real Sociedad se estrena con victoria|trans-title=Real Sociedad open with victory|publisher=EITB|language=es|date=19 August 2017|access-date=22 August 2017}} He made 13 appearances in all competitions, but only played more than 45 minutes in two of them.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2018/08/29/actualidad/1535562943_340782.html|title=Aquel maldito choque con Keylor|trans-title=That damn clash with Keylor|newspaper=El País|first=Jon|last=Rivas|date=29 August 2018|access-date=4 September 2018}}

On 29 August 2018, Agirretxe announced his retirement from playing professionally at the age of 31, having never fully recovered from his 2015 injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-espana.net/73934/real-sociedad-striker-agirretxe-retires|title=Real Sociedad striker Agirretxe retires|publisher=Football España|date=29 August 2018|access-date=29 August 2018}} In a press conference, he expressed that it was "A very happy day", reflecting on his satisfaction in the decision he had made after his long struggles to return to peak condition, also speaking of his pride in representing Real Sociedad and respect he had for the staff at the club.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/real-sociedad/2018/08/29/5b86918e268e3eac2a8b4615.html|title=Agirretxe en su despedida: "Hoy es un día muy feliz para mí"|trans-title=Agirretxe in his farewell: "Today is a very happy day for me"|newspaper=Marca|first=Óscar|last=Badallo|language=es|date=29 August 2018|access-date=29 August 2018}}

Career statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/imanol-agirretxe-arruti/3230/|title=Agirretxe|website=Soccerway|access-date=7 February 2015}}{{ESPNsoccernet|62138}}

rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|Cup

!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.}}

!colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Includes Segunda División B play-offs.}}

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="6"|Real Sociedad B

|2004–05

|rowspan="5"|Segunda División B

|23

7colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–237
2005–06

|34

12colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–203612
2006–07

|12

3colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–123
2007–08

|30

9colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–309
2008–09

|9

1colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–91
colspan="2"|Total

!108

33colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–2011033
Castellón

|2006–07

|Segunda División

|8

100colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–237
rowspan="15"|Real Sociedad

|2004–05

|rowspan="4"|La Liga

|3

100colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–31
2005–06

|1

010colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–20
2006–07

|6

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–60
2007–08

|2

000colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–20
2008–09

|rowspan="2"|Segunda División

|28

900colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–289
2009–10

|36

610colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–376
2010–11

|rowspan="8"|La Liga

|11

321colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–134
2011–12

|36

1032colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–3912
2012–13

|34

1421colspan="2"|–colspan="2"|–3615
2013–14

|31

83060colspan="2"|–408
2014–15

|31

72040colspan="2"|–377
2015–16

|16

130000colspan="2"|–1613
2016–17

|0

00000colspan="2"|–00
2017–18

|11

00020colspan="2"|–130
colspan="2"|Total

!246

711441200027375
colspan="3"|Career total

!362

10514412020390109

{{notelist}}

Honours

Real Sociedad

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/team/player/real-sociedad/imanol-agirretxe-arruti Real Sociedad official profile]
  • {{BDFutbol|1097}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agirretxe, Imanol}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Usurbil

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Footballers from Gipuzkoa

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:La Liga players

Category:Segunda División players

Category:Segunda División B players

Category:Antiguoko players

Category:Real Sociedad B footballers

Category:Real Sociedad footballers

Category:CD Castellón footballers

Category:Spain men's youth international footballers

Category:Basque Country men's international footballers

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen