Txema Añibarro


José María 'Txema' Añibarro Astondoa is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
He spent most of his professional career with Eibar, after signing at the age of 29.

Club career

Born in Zeberio, Biscay, Añibarro played amateur football well into his 20s. In the 2005 summer, he joined Sestao River Club in Tercera División, and appeared in 32 matches in his debut season, which ended in promotion.
On 5 June 2008, Añibarro signed with Basque neighbours SD Eibar. He played his first match as a professional on 3 September, starting and being sent off in a 0–1 loss at CD Castellón for the campaign's Copa del Rey. He made his Segunda División debut on the 20th, starting in a 0–0 home draw against RC Celta de Vigo, and scored his first professional goal on 25 April of the following year, but in a 2–3 home loss to Real Zaragoza.
Añibarro appeared in 25 matches in his first season, as the Armeros were relegated to the third level. He remained as a starter in the following years, contributing with 27 appearances in the promotion campaign of 2012–13.
On 25 June 2014, after Eibar's promotion to La Liga, 34-year-old Añibarro renewed his contract for a further year. He only made his debut in the competition on 16 January of the following year, coming on as a second half substitute for Borja Ekiza in a 1–1 away draw against Córdoba CF.
Añibarro announced his retirement on 17 June 2015, being immediately appointed coach at Athletic Bilbao's Cadete C team.

Club statistics