Mikel Labaka
Mikel Labaka Zurriarain is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a central defender, and is the assistant manager of Real Sociedad.
He amassed La Liga totals of 111 matches and five goals during six seasons, representing in the competition Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano. He added 111 games and eight goals in Segunda División, in a 14-year professional career.Club career
Born in Azpeitia, Basque Country, Labaka reached Real Sociedad's youth system at the age of 17. After playing three years with the reserves he made his professional debut with Real Unión and Ciudad de Murcia, spending one season with each club on loan.
On 24 October 2004, Labaka made his first-team – and La Liga – debut with Real Sociedad, in a 2–1 home win against RCD Mallorca, and finished his first season with 30 games and three goals to help the Txuriurdin finish in 14th position. He only appeared in 11 league matches in 2006–07 as they suffered relegation for the first time in 40 years, but regained first-choice status in the following campaigns.
In August 2011, the 31-year-old Labaka was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Philippe Montanier, and left Real to sign for Rayo Vallecano, recently promoted to the top level. He retired in June 2013, after two seasons as a backup.
On 7 June 2016, Labaka was named assistant coach at his main club, after nearly two years in the same capacity with the B-side.
