Juan José Elgezabal Bustinza (born 21 December 1963) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played in La Liga for Athletic Bilbao, Logroñés and Español, making a total of 123 top flight appearances.[1]

Juan José Elgezabal
Personal information
Full name Juan José Elgezabal Bustinza
Date of birth (1963-12-21) 21 December 1963 (age 60)
Place of birth Bakio, Spain
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
–1982 Athletic Bilbao
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1981 CD Mungia 8 (2)
1982–1986 Bilbao Athletic 97 (13)
1982–1989 Athletic Bilbao 48 (3)
1989–1992 Logroñés 53 (1)
1992–1994 Español 26 (0)
1994–1995 Gernika 18 (1)
Total 250 (20)
International career
1983 Spain U-21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Born in Bakio, Biscay, Basque Country, Elgezabal started his career in the youth teams of Athletic Bilbao.[2] He played for CD Mungia in the Tercera División during the 1980–81 season, before stepping into senior football with Athletic in 1982.[1]

In 1982–83, Elgezabal was a key part of the Bilbao Athletic (Athletic's B team) side that won the Segunda División B title, and also made three appearances for the first team as they achieved the same success in La Liga. Until 1986, Elgezabal continued to appear for both the first and second teams, and again played a small part as Athletic lifted a second consecutive La Liga trophy in 1983–84.[1]

From 1986 onwards, Elgezabal was solely part of the first team, but never established himself as a first choice starter. He left Bilbao in 1989, having made only 71 first team appearances in all competitions over seven seasons. He joined fellow top flight side Logroñés, where he played for three seasons before moving on again to join Español in 1992. He was a key part of the Español side that suffered relegation from La Liga in 1992–93, and also helped them secure promotion at the first attempt as Segunda División champions the following year.[1]

Elgezabal left the club following this success, playing for one final season with Gernika in Segunda División B, at the end of which they were relegated. Elgezabal retired in 1995 at the age of 31.[1]

International career edit

Elgezabal made two appearances for the Spain under-21 side during 1983. His debut came on 5 October 1983,[3] in a 2–2 friendly draw with Italy in Tarragona.[4] On 15 November, he also played the final 20 minutes of a 1–0 win in a 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match against the Netherlands at La Rosaleda, coming on as a substitute in place of Roberto Marina.[5]

Honours edit

Bilbao Athletic

Athletic Bilbao

Español

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Juan José Elgezabal Bustinza - Footballer". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Juan José Elgezabal". Athletic Bilbao. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Matches Elgezabal". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  4. ^ "España - Italia (2 - 2) 05/10/1983". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  5. ^ "España - Países Bajos (1 - 0) 15/11/1983". BDFutbol. Retrieved 4 February 2024.

External links edit