Dundee United's secret Spanish fan

Monday, 08 February 2010 08:30

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As Scotland and Spain get set to duel for a place at Euro 2012, The Away End talks to Joseba Etxeberria, the Spaniard playing for free, who reveals a secret liking of all things Tangerine

By Gary McDaniel

Scotland has seen it’s highest paid player sign for Celtic, and England are witnessing their captain’s personal misdemeanors being splashed across the front pages of all the country’s tabloids.  It brings a wry smile to a player who is a matter of months away from finishing his playing career at Athletic Bilbao.  Joseba Etxeberria’s final season is not just remarkable at the fact he is retiring at the age of 32, but that he is playing for free.

The former Spanish internationalist’s contract expired last summer but as a gesture to the club and their loyal support Etxeberria asked to play for one more season for his beloved team for nothing.

He said, "Over the last year I considered in what way I would wish to thank the club for their loyalty. After to speaking to my family and close friends I suggested the proposal, of playing without a salary next season, to my team-mates and then the board of directors which they were happy to accept."

"The decision is for all the people that are involved at this special club and, obviously, the associates and fans who are a fundamental part of Athletic."

At a time when top professionals in the game are earning astronomical amounts of money, especially in wages, Etxeberria believes that the passion for playing for a club has been lost.

He added. "It is very clear that professional footballers are privileged in economic terms. That said, Athletic is different from most other clubs as it has a special component, loyalty. The players also show that towards the club by proudly wearing the shirt and defending its colours."

Athletic Bibao has lived by its policy of only signing players from the Basque region and has still managed to remain in the top flight in Spain, a statistic which excites and brings pride to the 32 year-old.

"I am convinced that Athletic can continue maintaining its policy and standing by the politics which tie in with the club. Next to Real Madrid and FC Barcelona we are the only club that have never been relegated to the second division. I believe that is an important fact that people should bear in mind considering the financial power of those two clubs,” he said.

Etxeberria is not immune to having been involved in some controversy himself throughout his career.  His move to Athletic from bitter Basque rivals Real Sociedad as a youngster made him the most expensive teenager in Spanish football in 1995 and left fans at his former club seething. 

He also decided to accept the honour of representing the Spanish national team which was a difficult decision due to the political tensions between Spain and the Basque region at the time. He won 53 caps and scored 12 goals for Spain but doesn’t wish to elaborate on his time spent with the national team.

He said, "I do not wish to comment on my appearances for the Spanish national team. I will though admit that being part of the squad that competed at Euro 2000 was a one of the highlights in my career.”

This season Athletic Bilbao are in the top half of La Liga and pushing for a Champions League spot. The 32 year-old has only made a handful of appearance in the league but has featured prominently for Bilbao in the Europa League and is confident they can hold aloft the trophy come May.

“I expect to win the Europa League this year, qualifying for the Champions League would be a great achievement but I would prefer to win a trophy in my last season, that would be a great way to finish a great career,” he added.

The ex-Spanish internationalist expects to go into coaching after his retirement, if not he still hopes to be connected to football in some way.  You never know he could be the next Dundee United manager after he admitted to having a soft spot for the Tayside club.

He said. “I remember playing against Dundee United in a youth tournament many years ago.  I was really impressed by them and ever since I have followed their results.”