Xabier Eskurza


Xabier Eskurza García is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
He achieved La Liga figures of 256 games and goals in 11 seasons, with Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, Mallorca and Oviedo.

Club career

Eskurza was born in Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran, Biscay. Progressing through the youth system of Athletic Bilbao, he made his La Liga debut with the club on 17 September 1989 in a 2–0 win over RC Celta de Vigo, and scored his first goal in the competition two months later to help the hosts to defeat Real Zaragoza by the same result. After strong performances in the 1993–94 season, he failed to reach an agreement for a renewal and signed for Johan Cruyff's FC Barcelona in a swap deal with Jon Andoni Goikoetxea.
However, Eskurza only appeared in 19 competitive games in his one-year spell at the Camp Nou, mainly due to a serious adductor injury. In summer 1995 he joined Valencia CF on a four-year contract but, two years into it, moved to fellow top-division side RCD Mallorca with whom he reached the final of the 1997–98 Copa del Rey, missing the last attempt in the 5–4 penalty shootout loss to Barcelona in Valencia.
Eskurza agreed to a deal at Real Oviedo in August 1998. He retired in 2000 at age 30, due to hip problems.
After his retirement, Eskurza worked as a players' agent.

International career

Eskurza represented Spain at youth level. He also earned caps for the unofficial Basque Country team.

Honours

Barcelona
Mallorca