Mikel Arce
Mikel Arce Hualde (born 15 June 1984) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward. He is the first Spanish player to debut in Paraguayan football since the creation of the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol. In a 2012 Beauty King and Queen contest in Villarrobledo, Arce finished in third position and was elected Best Spanish Body in the process. Career. 2002–2008: Early career in Spain. Arce was born in Pamplona, Navarre. After graduating from CA Osasuna's youth academy he spent the entirety of his Spanish career in the lower leagues; he appeared only once in  the Segunda División B, as a second-half substitute in SD Lemona's 3–0 away win against Marino de Luanco. 2008: Major League Soccer. In the 2007–08 season, Arce scored 20 Tercera División goals for CD Lourdes, and was signed by Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes in the ensuing offseason. Whilst in Major League Soccer, Arce played against David Beckham. 2009: Primera División Paraguaya. In the following transfer window he moved teams – and countries – again, joining Club 12 de Octubre for whom he featured in the Paraguayan Primera División. Arce held a three year contract with San José  Earthquakes, but returned to Spain to find another team before traveling to Paraguay to trial with Olimpia Asunción. His name sounded as a strong signing for Olimpia Asunción. When Arce arrived at the airport, he was received by members of the directives of Olimpia Asunción, by fans and the press, and Arce noted that Olimpia Asunción wanted to sign him. After noting 3 goals in a trial session with Olimpia Asunción, coach Ever Hugo Almeida communicated to the club directives that he wouldn't count with him. Arce packed his bags to trial at 12 de Octubre. In January, he  began officially pre-season training with the team. Arce said that the pre-season in Paraguay was especially hard because of the heat and the humidity. Arce had a contract with 12 de Octubre until June 2009. In the 2009 Paraguayan Primera División season, Arce was in the 12 de Octubre team with Cristian Fatecha, Lorenzo Melgarejo, Angel Ortiz, César Cañete, Aldo Paniagua, Derlis Orue, Chilean Miguel Díaz and Argentines Hector Nuñez, Jose Amarilla and Valentín Filippini. On 22 March 2009, Arce was substituted onto the field in the 81st minute for Osmar Rivas in a 1–0 home defeat against  Sportivo Luqueño. On 11 April 2009, Arce was substituted onto the field for Diego Alfonso in a 2–1 away victory against Sol de America. He amassed 4 appearances for 12 de Octubre. He had problems with form, with the heat, and with the type of football. He came from 2 degrees under 0 to 42 degrees with humidity in Asunción. He said that it wasn't a good time, that he felt alone and he delayed in adapting. 2009–2014: Latter career in Spain. In the summer of 2009, Arce returned to Spain and resumed his career in the lower divisions  and amateur football. Personal life. When living in Paraguay in 2009, Arce found the challenge of speaking in Guarani as if speaking in Vasco in Spain. That also, life in Paraguay was harder than life in Spain and in the USA, that you need to go with care on the street, but that he lived with a colleague he'd met at San José. In October 2012, in a Beauty King and Queen contest held in Villarrobledo, Arce finished in third position, being elected Best Spanish Body in the process.