Mikel Lasa


Mikel Lasa Goikoetxea is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
He played 267 La Liga matches over 13 seasons, representing Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Lasa was part of the squad that 1992 Summer Olympics|won the Olympic gold medal in 1992]. After retiring, he worked briefly as a manager.

Club career

Lasa was born in the small town of Legorreta, Gipuzkoa. He was a product of local Real Sociedad's youth academy, and made his La Liga debut not yet aged 18, as the Basque side was coached by John Toshack, during the 1988–89 season.
Subsequently, Lasa signed with Real Madrid for the 1991–92 campaign for approximately €1.7 million, seen as a replacement for the ageing Rafael Gordillo. After struggling initially, barred by Francisco Villarroya, he eventually became the starter, also scoring in the club's 2–0 win in the 1993 Copa del Rey final against Real Zaragoza; however, he would be virtually absent from the lineups following the signing of Brazilian Roberto Carlos in summer 1996.
Lasa joined Real Sociedad's neighbours, Athletic Bilbao, in 1997–98, being an important first-team player as they achieved a runner-up place. He played very little in his final three seasons, and retired in 2004 following Segunda División spells with neighbours Real and Ciudad de Murcia.
Lasa started his managerial career in December 2021, taking charge of Futuro Kings FC in the Equatoguinean Primera División.

International career

Lasa played twice for Spain in 1993, incidentally both matches being against Lithuania during the 1994 [FIFA World Cup] 1994 [FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|qualifiers]. He was also a member of the side that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Honours

Real Madrid
Murcia
Spain U16
Spain U23
Spain U21