Jon Koldo Iruarrizaga Arteche (born 31 March 1993), known as Jon Iru, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder.

Jon Iru
Personal information
Full name Jon Koldo Iruarrizaga Arteche
Date of birth (1993-03-31) 31 March 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Bilbao, Spain
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10+12 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Kelme
2006–2010 Elche
2010–2011 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2013 Basconia 34 (1)
2012–2013Sestao (loan) 7 (0)
2013–2016 Bilbao Athletic 38 (0)
2016–2017 Murcia 9 (0)
2017–2018 Barakaldo 43 (0)
2018–2020 Leioa 37 (1)
2020–2021 Haro 24 (2)
2021–2022 Gernika 27 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:43, 22 April 2023 (UTC)

Club career edit

Born in Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Jon Iru spent the vast majority of his childhood living in Alicante following the transfer of his father, also a professional footballer, to Elche CF in summer 1993.[1] After spending some years in Elche's youth setup, he joined Athletic Bilbao in 2010, aged 17, and made his debut as a senior with the farm team in the 2011–12 campaign, in Tercera División. On 31 August 2012 he was loaned to Segunda División B side Sestao River,[2] but a metatarsus injury shortened his appearances for the club.[1][3]

On 21 June 2013 Jon Iru was promoted to the reserves in Segunda División B, after his loan ended.[4] In July of the following year he suffered a severe knee injury[3][5][6] which sidelined him for eight months;[1][7] he only contributed with 18 minutes during the whole season, as the B-side returned to Segunda División after 19 years.[8]

Jon Iru made his professional debut on 24 August 2015, starting in a 0–1 home loss against Girona FC.[9] He played several matches at right-back during the season due to injuries to other squad members.[1] On 7 June 2016, after suffering relegation, he was released by the Lions[10] and signed for Real Murcia on 18 July.[11]

In January 2017 Jon Iru moved to Barakaldo CF.[12] He joined another third-tier club of his home region in July 2018, SD Leioa.[13]

Personal life edit

Jon Iru's father and uncle, Patxi Iru [es][14] and Aitor Iru,[15] were also footballers. Both were goalkeepers, and also groomed at Athletic Bilbao.[16][17] His younger cousin Ander (son of Aitor) is another goalkeeper and Athletic trainee.[18][19]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Jon Iru: una de las buenas noticias de este comienzo de Liga" [Jon Iru: one of the good news stories at the start of this league] (in Spanish). La Cantera de Lezama. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Jon Iru on-loan". Athletic's official website. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ^ a b "La desgracia se ceba con el cachorro Jon Iru, rotura del cruzado" [The misfortune deepens for youngster Jon Iru, ACL injury] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Bilbao Athletic pre-season". Athletic's official website. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  5. ^ "Jon Iru's injury". Athletic's official website. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  6. ^ "El calvario del otro Iturraspe" [The ordeal of the other Iturraspe] (in Spanish). UCA (Anthroscopic Surgery Unit. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Jon Iru vuelve a sonreír" [Jon Iru returns to smile] (in Spanish). Vavel. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  8. ^ "El Bilbao Athletic, a Segunda 19 años después y el Cádiz tendrá que esperar" [Bilbao Athletic, into Segunda 19 years later and Cadiz will have to wait] (in Spanish). EFE. 28 June 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  9. ^ "El que la sigue, la consigue" [The one that follows it, gets it] (in Spanish). Marca. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Leaving Bilbao Athletic". Athletic Bilbao. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Jon Iru apuesta por el Real Murcia" [Jon Iru bets on Real Murcia] (in Spanish). Real Murcia. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  12. ^ "El exrojiblanco Jon Iru ficha por el Barakaldo" [The ex-'red-and-white' Jon Iru signs for Barakaldo]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 25 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Jon Iru refuerza al Leioa" [Jon Iru bolsters Leioa]. El Desmarque (in Spanish). 11 July 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  14. ^ "Iru: Francisco Javier Iruarrizaga Amarika". BDFutbol.com. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Iru: Aitor Iruarrizaga Amarika". BDFutbol.com. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Es un partido para disfrutar" [It is a match to enjoy] (in Spanish). Diario Información. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Aitor Iru será el entrenador de porteros del Athletic" [Aitor Iru becomes the Athletic goalkeeping coach] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Jon Iru: "Mi madre tuvo la culpa de que no fuera portero"" [Jon Iru: "My mother is to blame for me not being a goalie"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Ander Iru: Ander Iruarrizaga Díez". BDFutbol.com. Retrieved 6 February 2018.

External links edit