Gorka Iraizoz


Gorka Iraizoz Moreno is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.
He spent most of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao, appearing in 392 official games. In La Liga he also represented Espanyol, winning the 2006 Copa del Rey with the club.

Club career

Early years / Espanyol

Iraizoz was born in Pamplona, Navarre and raised in nearby Ansoáin. After beginning his football career with local team UDC Chantrea, he moved to the Basque Country with Athletic Bilbao, serving stints with affiliates CD Basconia and Bilbao Athletic.
Arriving at RCD Espanyol in July 2002, Iraizoz spent two seasons with its B-side, also having a loan spell at SD Eibar in the second division. He made his La Liga debut on 21 December 2005, in a 2–1 away win against Deportivo de La Coruña. He was Espanyol's second-choice behind Carlos Kameni for the 2006–07 season, but was the regular in the club's run to the final of the UEFA Cup, notably excelling in the quarter-final second leg away to S.L. Benfica.
During his time in Barcelona, Iraizoz learned to speak fluent Catalan.

Athletic Bilbao

On 7 August 2007, Iraizoz signed for Athletic Bilbao for €4.6 million, returning to the club he spent one-and-a-half seasons with, this time as the undisputed starter. However, due to a severe injury, he was left out of the squad for the second part of the campaign, and his place was taken by 37-year-old Armando, signed from Cádiz CF until June 2008.
In the following years, Iraizoz rarely missed a league game for Athletic. On 16 January 2010, his Player of the match performance helped the team hold on to its early home lead against Real Madrid, constantly denying Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts; additionally, he was in goal during the 2009 and 2012 finals of the Copa del Rey lost to FC Barcelona, and also helped defeat that opponent 5–1 on aggregate in the 2015 Supercopa de España for his only accolade at the San Mamés Stadium.
In the opening match of 2014–15, at Málaga CF, Iraizoz appeared to score a last-minute equaliser with a header, but the goal was disallowed, apparently incorrectly. Having lost his starting place to Kepa Arrizabalaga, at the end of the 2016–17 season Athletic announced that the 36-year-old would be leaving the club at the end of his contract.

Girona

On 14 June 2017, Iraizoz agreed to a two-year deal at Girona FC, promoted to the top flight for the first time ever. He spent most of his spell at the Estadi Montilivi as backup to Yassine Bounou.
At the end of the 2018–19 season, which ended in relegation, Iraizoz left the club.

International career

Iraizoz never earned any caps for Spain at any level. He did feature for the unofficial Basque Country regional team.

Career statistics

Honours

Espanyol
Athletic Bilbao