Daniel Aranzubia

{{Infobox Biography
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| fullname = Daniel Aranzubia Aguado
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| position = goalkiper
| currentclub = Atlético Madrid
| clubnumber = 1
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| nationalyears = 2004
| nationalteam = Spain
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Athletic Bilbao[edit]
Born in Logroño, La Rioja, but nonetheless a product of Athletic de Bilbao's famed youth academy, Lezama, Aranzubia made his first-team debut on 10 April 2001 in a 1–3 home derby loss against Real Sociedad. After two seasons as backup to Iñaki Lafuente he emerged as the side's undisputed starter, helping it qualify to the UEFA Cup in 2004 while extending his link a further four years.[1]
After additional struggles for first-choice duties with Lafuente in the 2005–06 campaign, Aranzubia was definitely deemed surplus to requirements by the Basque after the emergence of Gorka Iraizoz, not appearing even when the first-choice was severely injured during 2007–08 (Athletic received veteran Armando on loan from Cádiz CF, and he became the starter).
Deportivo[edit]
In June 2008 Aranzubia joined Deportivo de La Coruña, helping the Galicians to the UEFA Intertoto Cup and starting throughout the entire season, save one match due to suspension. On 2 October 2008 he saved three penalties in a shootout against SK Brann in a UEFA Cup first round 2–0 home win, with Depor thus reaching the group stage.[2]
Aranzubia missed the first six games of the 2010–11 campaign due to injury, but again finished as a starter for Deportivo. On 20 February 2011 he scored with his head after a 95th minute corner kick, as his team managed a 1–1 draw at UD Almería,[3] becoming the first goalkeeper in La Liga history to score from open play.[4]
Atlético Madrid[edit]
In August 2013, Aranzubia signed for Atlético Madrid as a backup to Thibaut Courtois.[5] He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League on 11 December 2013 shortly after his 34th birthday, saving a penalty from F.C. Porto's Josué in an eventual 2–0 group stage home win.[6]
As the Belgian was unavailable due to injury, Aranzubia first played in the league with the Colchoneros on 8 February 2014, being sent off in the last minutes of an eventual 0–2 loss at Almería after fouling Jonathan Zongo in the box.[7]
International career[edit]
Aranzubia made his only appearance for Spain on 5 June 2004, in a friendly match with Andorra in Getafe. He subbed in for Santiago Cañizares, who had already replaced Iker Casillas, at the hour-mark, being then selected as third-choice for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament.[8]
Previously, Aranzubia helped the nation win the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and finish runner-up at the 2000 Summer Olympics, starting in both finals.[9]
Category:Players
Category:Atlético Madrid players