Higinio Ortúzar

Higinio Ortúzar Santamaría was a Chilean footballer who made his entire career in Spain.

Career

The first Chilean in the Spanish football, he made his debut for Erandio Club in 1935, and next he played for Barakaldo CF, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia CF, Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad. He was loaned to Racing de Santander in 1936 for 4,500 pesetas, but he couldn't play due to the Spanish coup of July.
While at Athletic, he won a League and Cup double in 1943, and followed this up with further league titles playing for Valencia in 1944 and 1947. In his 30s he featured for Valladolid and Real Sociedad in successive seasons, helping each to gain promotion from the second tier.
After retiring as a player, he became a football coach, and managed sides including CD Logroñés.

Personal life

Born in Santiago, Chile, his parents were Basques. He returned to Euzkadi at early age, after his mother died.
He made his home in Areeta and managed a bar in Mayor Street.