Mikel San José

File:MikelSanJose.JPG in 2009]]

San José was born in Pamplona, Navarre,{{cite web |url={{Athletic Bilbao profile|870|urlonly=yes}} |title=Mikel San José Domínguez |publisher=Athletic Club |access-date=22 September 2020}} where by the age of six he was playing football at Txantrea, a nursery club of the Basque Country-based Athletic Bilbao.{{cite news |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/02/08/paisvasco/1265621459.html |title=El fértil vivero navarro del Athletic |language=es |trans-title=Athletic's fertile Navarrese nursery |first=Xabier |last=Garmendia |newspaper=El Mundo |date=8 February 2010 |access-date=21 September 2020}} At 16, he left home to join Athletic's academy,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10811763/mikel-san-jos233-meet-the-former-liverpool-youngster-who-came-good-at-athletic-bilbao |title=Mikel San José: Meet the former Liverpool youngster who came good at Athletic Bilbao |first=Nick |last=Wright |website=Sky Sports |date=27 March 2017 |access-date=21 September 2020}} where he began at Juvenil B level and moved up to the Juvenil A team for the 2006–07 season, during which he made 27 appearances and scored five goals.

In August 2007, Premier League club Liverpool confirmed that the 18-year-old San José had joined on a three-year contract for a fee reported as €400,000.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/2678996/reds-confirm-double-deal |title=Reds confirm double deal |first=Andrew |last=Scurr |website=Sky Sports |date=22 August 2007 |access-date=27 September 2020}} He believed he had a greater chance of top-flight football via Liverpool's reserves than by accepting what he saw as an unconvincing offer of bypassing Athletic's third team to play for their B team in the Segunda División B.{{cite news |url=https://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/20080609/deportes/athletic/jose-paso-cielo-20080609.html |title=San José, a un paso del cielo |language=es |trans-title=San José, one step from heaven |first=J. |last=Ortiz de Lazcano |newspaper=El Correo |location=Bilbao |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=27 September 2020}} Over the next two seasons, he played regularly for Liverpool Reserves,{{cite web|url=http://www.liverweb.org.uk/resapps.asp?season=200708|title=Reserves 2007–08 Appearances|website=Liverweb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421232412/http://www.liverweb.org.uk/resapps.asp?season=200708|archive-date=21 April 2012}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.liverweb.org.uk/resapps.asp?season=200809|title=Reserves 2008–09 Appearances|website=Liverweb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606160350/http://www.liverweb.org.uk/resapps.asp?season=200809|archive-date=6 June 2011}} and helped them win the 2007–08 Premier Reserve League title.{{cite news |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-reserves-3-aston-villa-3485572 |title=Liverpool Reserves 3 Aston Villa Reserves 0 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=21 September 2020}} He frequently trained with the first team, but the closest he came to playing for them was in February 2008 as an unused substitute against Chelsea.

In August 2009, San José returned to Athletic Bilbao on a season-long loan to gain more first-team experience.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=8455&idi=1|title=Mikel San José, cedido al Athletic Club|trans-title=Mikel San José, loaned to Athletic Club|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|language=es|date=15 August 2009|access-date=4 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817231145/http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=8455&idi=1|archive-date=17 August 2009}} He was given the number 12 shirt, and made his debut on 17 September 2009 in a 3–0 group stage home win against Austria Wien in the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League.{{cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2009/09/17/europe/uefa-cup/athletic-club/fk-austria-memphis-magna/858379/|title=Athletic Club vs. Austria Wien 17 September 2009|website=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|access-date=30 May 2021}} It was reported in early November 2009 that he was frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities, and that if this did not improve he would look to shorten the loan agreement and move either back to Liverpool or on loan to another club in January 2010;{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5671791,00.html|title=San Jose frustrated in Spain|website=Sky Sports|date=3 November 2009|access-date=4 November 2009}} he finally made his La Liga debut on the 8th, playing the last two minutes of the 2–0 away win over Racing Santander,{{cite news|url=http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2009-11-08/llorente-queda-grada-200911081619.html|title=El Athletic también sabe ganar sin Llorente|trans-title=Athletic also know how to win without Llorente|newspaper=El Correo|agency=EFE|language=es|date=8 November 2009|access-date=29 April 2018}} and finished the campaign with 30 overall appearances, netting three times.{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/athletic-austria-europa-league-581121/0/|title=El Athletic se aisla de los incidentes, golea al Austria Viena y pasa en la Europa League|trans-title=Athletic distance themselves from incidents, rout Austria Wien and go through in Europa League|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=3 December 2009|access-date=29 April 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/zaragoza-athletic-marcelino-586239/0/|title=La derrota ante el Athletic deja a Marcelino más dentro que fuera del Zaragoza (1–2)|trans-title=Defeat against Athletic leaves Marcelino more out than in at Zaragoza (1–2)|newspaper=20 minutos|language=es|date=13 December 2009|access-date=29 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20100218/san-jose-obra-milagro/318832.shtml|title=San José obra el milagro|trans-title=San José works miracle|website=RTVE|agency=EFE|language=es|date=18 February 2010|access-date=29 April 2018}}

On 19 May 2010, San José was signed permanently by Athletic on a five-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=9665&idi=2|title=San José drafted|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=19 May 2010|access-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531071254/http://www.athletic-club.net/web/main.asp?a=0&b=1&c=1&d=1000&berria=9665&idi=2|archive-date=31 May 2010}} In his first year, he was periodically charged with penalty-taking by manager Joaquín Caparrós, replacing longtime regular Andoni Iraola.{{cite web|url=http://bizkaia.eldesmarque.com/athletic-club/reportajes/37466--el-athletic-falla-el-41-de-los-penaltis-desde-la-retirada-de-larrazabal-el-2004|title=El Athletic falla el 41% de los penaltis desde la retirada de Larrazabal en 2004|trans-title=Athletic miss 41% of penalties since retirement of Larrazabal in 2004|publisher=El Desmarque|first=Javi|last=Beltrán|language=es|date=27 September 2013|access-date=29 April 2018}}

In his first Basque derby against Real Sociedad, at the Anoeta Stadium on 5 December 2010, the first goal was scored from a penalty conceded by San José, who scored an own goal early in the second half to complete the 2–0 defeat.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/47872/real-sociedad-vs-athletic-bilbao/report|title=Mikel San Jose horror Basque Derby debut gifts hosts easy victory|website=Goal|date=5 December 2010|access-date=17 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226023528/https://www.goal.com/en/match/47872/real-sociedad-vs-athletic-bilbao/report |archive-date=26 December 2010}} The following season, he was an unused substitute in the Copa del Rey and the Europa League finals, both lost.

San José finished the 2012–13 campaign with six goals in all competitions comprised, five in the league as the Lions finished 12th, and was often utilized as a defensive midfielder by coach Marcelo Bielsa.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2013/01/29/futbol/equipos/athletic/1359459196.html|title=San José: "No es normal que un defensa haga tantos goles"|trans-title=San José: "It's not normal for a defender to score this many goals"|newspaper=Marca|first=Rafael|last=Beato|language=es|date=29 January 2013|access-date=30 October 2013}} His other successful strike was his first in a European competition, in a 3–3 draw away to HJK in the Europa League play-off round second leg.{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/teams/athletic-club/2012-13/matches/1_4601/chronicle|title=Group stage guaranteed|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=30 August 2012|access-date=30 May 2021}}

San José scored the first ever goal for Athletic Bilbao at the new San Mamés Stadium on 16 September 2013, from close range in a 3–2 defeat of Celta Vigo.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/373178/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|title=Athletic open stadium with win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=16 September 2013|access-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127180903/http://espnfc.com/en/report/373178/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|archive-date=27 November 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.canalathletic.com/noticias/2013-09-17/seremos-recordados-dice-mikel-201309170104.html|title="Seremos recordados", dice Mikel San José, autor del primer gol en el nuevo San Mamés|trans-title="We shall be remembered", says Mikel San José, author of first goal in the new San Mamés|publisher=Canal Athletic|language=es|date=17 September 2013|access-date=30 October 2013}} He began to be overshadowed by fellow youth graduate Aymeric Laporte, however.{{cite news|url=https://www.elcorreo.com/vizcaya/20131222/deportes/mas-futbol/cronica-athletic-201312222052_amp.html|title=El Athletic sigue dulce|trans-title=Athletic still sweet|newspaper=El Correo|first=Juanma|last=Mallo|language=es|date=23 December 2013|access-date=28 July 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/20160328/40717372233/la-baja-de-laporte-la-mas-dificil-de-suplir-para-valverde.html|title=La baja de Laporte, la más difícil de suplir para Valverde|trans-title=Laporte's absence, the most difficult to replace for Valverde|newspaper=La Vanguardia|first=Ramón|last=Orosa|language=es|date=28 March 2016|access-date=28 July 2020}}

On 25 November 2014, San José scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League, the only one in a group match away to Shakhtar Donetsk – nonetheless, the opponents advanced at Athletic's expense.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0ea70df0c8a0-eda45b179afd-1000--san-jose-shows-way-for-athletic-at-shakhtar/|title=San José shows way for Athletic at Shakhtar|publisher=UEFA|date=25 November 2014|access-date=25 November 2014}} He also netted the opening goal of a 4–0 win against Barcelona in the first leg of the 2015 Supercopa de España, striking from {{convert|50|yards|order=flip}} after a clearance from opposing goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/14/athletic-bilbao-barcelona-spanish-super-cup |title=Aritz Aduriz leads Athletic Bilbao to 4-0 Super Cup win over Barcelona|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 August 2015|access-date=30 May 2021}}

In September 2019, San José reached the milestone of ten years with the same club.{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20190917/47425943835/athletic-san-jose-caparros-barca-austria-de-viena-europa-league.html|title=La década de Mikel|trans-title=The Mikel decade|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Jon|last=Zubieta|language=es|date=17 September 2019|access-date=27 September 2019}} On 24 November, he celebrated his 300th appearance in the Spanish top division in a 2–1 away victory against Osasuna, breaking a 31–game undefeated streak of the hosts at their El Sadar Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://insideathletic.com/2019/11/24/osasuna-1-2-athletic-club-lions-break-el-sadar/|title=Osasuna 1–2 Athletic Club: Lions break El Sadar|publisher=Inside Athletic|date=24 November 2019|access-date=24 November 2019}}

In July 2020, Athletic confirmed that San José's contract would not be extended beyond that summer, although the departure was delayed beyond its usual June expiry after the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. His contribution (along with long-serving colleague Beñat Etxebarria, also leaving in similar circumstances){{cite web|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2020/07/07/san-jose-y-benat-no-seguiran-en-el-athletic-club|title=San José and Beñat will not continue at Athletic Club|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=7 July 2020|access-date=20 July 2020}} was acknowledged at the last home fixture on 16 July 2020 in an empty San Mamés{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2020/07/17/inside-i-the-tribute-to-benat-and-san-jose|title=Inside: The tribute to Beñat and San José|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=17 July 2020|access-date=20 July 2020}}{{snd}}he was in the matchday squad but did not leave the bench,{{cite news|url=https://athletic.elcorreo.com/ultimo-partido-jose-20200716215912-nt.html|title=El último partido para San José y Beñat en San Mamés|trans-title=The last match for San José and Beñat at San Mamés|newspaper=El Correo|first=Javier|last=Ortiz de Lazcano|language=es|date=16 July 2020|access-date=28 July 2020}} with his last appearance four months earlier in the Spanish Cup semi-finals;{{cite news|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20200303/473950625012/athletic-granada-semifinal-de-copa-copa-san-jose-dani-garcia-los-carmenes.html|title=¿La hora de San José en el Athletic?|trans-title=San José's time at Athletic?|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Carlos|last=Zaballa|language=es|date=3 March 2020|access-date=28 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=568212|title=Athletic Bilbao reach Copa del Rey final despite loss to Granada|publisher=ESPN|date=5 March 2020|access-date=28 July 2020}} His team won that tie, but the circumstances of the delay and the end of his spell at the club meant he would have no opportunity to take part in the final.

On 21 September 2020, San José signed a two-year deal with English Championship club Birmingham City, whose head coach was fellow Basque Aitor Karanka.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/blues-snap-up-mikel-san-jos%C3%A9/ |title=Blues snap up Mikel San José |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=21 September 2020 |access-date=21 September 2020}} He made his first-team debut, on 20 October away to Norwich City, in unfortunate circumstances: midfielder Adam Clayton was sent off after 86 goalless minutes, but before there was a stoppage in play to allow San José to come on, Norwich scored the winning goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54519021 |title=Norwich City 1–0 Birmingham City |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aitor-karanka-confirms-lukas-jutkiewicz-19137999 |title=Aitor Karanka confirms Lukas Jutkiewicz has tested positive for coronavirus |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020}} He made what the Birmingham Mail dubbed an authoritative full debut playing in central midfield, looking "assured on the ball, intelligent off it",{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/la-liga-greats-player-ratings-19160069 |title='La Liga greats' – Player ratings from Birmingham City's stalemate with QPR |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=24 October 2020 |access-date=30 May 2021}} and away to Preston North End a week later he "looked even more accomplished" in the centre of a back three before moving into midfield from where he crossed the ball for Gary Gardner's winning goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fire-up-bus-birmingham-city-19201074 |title='Fire up the bus' – Birmingham City fans go nuts as Aitor Karanka hails clever transfer |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 November 2020 |access-date=30 May 2021}} As matches{{snd}}and poor results{{snd}}became more frequent, San José's level of performance dropped, he appeared to tire, mistakes appeared, and he lost his place in the matchday squad.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hogan-san-jose-bristol-city-19394334 |title=Hogan, San Jose and Bristol City – every word from 'more than angry' Birmingham City boss |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=3 December 2020 |access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dangerous-verdict-birmingham-city-beaten-19787550 |title='Dangerous' – Our verdict as Birmingham City are beaten by Bournemouth |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=7 February 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/toral-san-jose-mcgree-spotlight-20048122 |title=Toral, San Jose, McGree – The spotlight on the futures of Birmingham City's forgotten men |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021}} Under new head coach Lee Bowyer, he seemed back to his best in a second-half cameo away to Derby County as Birmingham avoided relegation,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/seven-birmingham-city-players-everything-20467837 |title=The seven Birmingham City players with everything to prove to Lee Bowyer |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 April 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021}} but on 28 May, his contract was terminated by mutual consent at his own request.{{cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2021/mikel-san-jos%C3%A9-departs/ |title=Mikel San José departs |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=28 May 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021}}

On 8 July 2021, San José returned to Spain, signing a one-year deal with the newly promoted Segunda División club Amorebieta.{{cite web|url=http://sdamorebieta.eus/?p=11322&lang=es|title=Mikel San José, nuevo jugador de la Sociedad Deportiva Amorebieta|trans-title=Mikel San José, new player of Sociedad Deportiva Amorebieta|publisher=SD Amorebieta|language=es|date=8 July 2021|accessdate=3 August 2021}} He played 27 games as they were relegated, plus one in the cup, scoring once on 2 April to open a 3–1 home win over Ibiza.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/amorebieta-vs-ibiza/cronica/2022/04/02/624890c322601d18118b45b8.html|title=Casi tres meses después... el Amorebieta vuelve a ganar|trans-title=After nearly three months... Amorebieta win again|newspaper=Marca|first=Iker|last=Torrescusa|language=es|date=2 April 2022|access-date=7 June 2023}} He announced his retirement from professional football on 14 August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://eldesmarque.com/bizkaia/athletic-club/noticias/325324-mikel-san-jose-cuelga-las-botas-en-el-aniversario-del-4-0-al-barca |title=Mikel San José cuelga las botas en el aniversario del 4-0 al Barça|language=es|publisher=El Desmarque|first=Asís|last=Martín |date=14 August 2022 |access-date=14 August 2022}}

San José was part of the Spanish team who captured the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship. Having made 16 appearances in that category, he progressed to the under-21s in early 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.liverweb.org.uk/intplayer.asp?player_id=926|title=Appearances for Mikel San Jose|publisher=Liverweb|access-date=4 November 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606133213/http://www.liverweb.org.uk/intplayer.asp?player_id=926|archive-date=6 June 2011}}

On 29 August 2014, San José was named by full side manager Vicente del Bosque in a 23-man squad for matches against France and Macedonia in September.{{cite web|url=http://www.sefutbol.com/en/these-are-players-called-matches-against-france-and-macedonia|title=These are the players called up for the matches against France and Macedonia|publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation|date=29 August 2014|access-date=29 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140831194953/http://www.sefutbol.com/en/these-are-players-called-matches-against-france-and-macedonia|archive-date=31 August 2014}} He made his debut on 4 September, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 0–1 friendly loss to the former,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29047046|title=France 1–0 Spain|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 September 2014|access-date=4 September 2014}} and was subsequently selected for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament alongside Athletic teammate Aritz Aduriz.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36312769|title=Euro 2016: Diego Costa, Juan Mata & Fernando Torres not in Spain squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2016|access-date=17 May 2016}}

San José also made seven appearances for the Basque Country representative team between 2011 and 2019.{{cite web |url=https://euskadifutbol.eus/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Internacionalidades-Nov-2020-1.pdf |title=Internacionalidades Nov 2020 |language=es |trans-title=Internationals Nov 2020 |publisher=Basque Football Federation |access-date=28 September 2022}}

{{notelist}}

Athletic Bilbao

• Supercopa de España: 2015; runner-up 2009
• UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2011–12
• Copa del Rey runner-up: 2011–12, 2014–15

Spain U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2007

Spain U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2011

{{notelist-ua}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Athletic Bilbao profile|id=870/sanjose}}
• {{BDFutbol|12442}}
• {{NFT|56850}}

{{Spain squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:San Jose, Mikel}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Pamplona

Category:Spanish men's footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Athletic Bilbao footballers

Category:Liverpool F.C. players

Category:Birmingham City F.C. players

Category:SD Amorebieta footballers

Category:La Liga players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Segunda División players

Category:Spain men's youth international footballers

Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Spain men's under-23 international footballers

Category:Spain men's international footballers

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:Basque Country men's international footballers

Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen