Natxo Insa


Ignacio 'Natxo' Insa Bohigues is a Spanish-born Malaysian professional footballer who plays for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. as a midfielder.
He spent most of his career in Segunda División, playing 244 matches and scoring and a combined ten goals for Eibar, Villarreal B, Celta, Zaragoza, Alcorcón and Levante. In La Liga, he represented Villarreal's first team and Celta.
Spanish-born, Insa appeared for Malaysia internationally, making his debut in 2018.

Club career

Insa was born in Cocentaina, Province of Alicante, Valencian Community. A product of Valencia CF's youth ranks, he made his first-team debut in a friendly with Fenerbahçe S.K. in July 2006, but spent the vast majority of that season with the B-side in Segunda División B. He first appeared officially for the main squad on 5 December 2006, coming on as an early substitute in a UEFA Champions League game at A.S. Roma ; he played his first La Liga match on 17 June of the following year, featuring the last six minutes of the 3–3 home draw against Real Sociedad.
In 2007–08, Insa was loaned to Segunda División club SD Eibar, scoring twice in 33 appearances. The deal was renewed for the following campaign, where he appeared slightly less and also suffered team relegation.
In August 2009, Insa moved to Villarreal CF, spending his first season with the reserves also in the second level. He played just one competitive match with the first team, 11 minutes in a 0–1 away loss to CA Osasuna.
From 2011 to 2013, Insa represented RC Celta de Vigo. In the latter campaign he scored two goals, the first in a 2–2 home draw against FC Barcelona and the second in a 1–0 triumph over RCD Espanyol also at Balaídos; that last matchday win ultimately proved essential, as the Galicians eventually avoided relegation.
After a one-year spell abroad at Turkey's Antalyaspor, Insa returned to Spain and its second tier in January 2015, appearing for Real Zaragoza, AD Alcorcón and Levante UD in quick succession. On 6 June 2017, he signed with Malaysia Super League's Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. for a fee of nearly €400,000.

International career

Insa obtained Malaysian citizenship through his grandmother, who was born in Sabah. He won his first cap for their national team on 22 March 2018 at the age of 31, in a 2–2 friendly draw to Mongolia.

Personal life

Insa's younger brother. Kiko, is also a footballer and a Malaysian international.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Club

Levante
Johor Darul Ta'zim