Koikili Lertxundi
Encyclopedia
Koikili Lertxundi del Campo, simply Koikili (born 23 December 1980 in Otxandio
, Basque Country
), or Koi for short, is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
as a left defender.
football just two seasons before moving to Athletic Bilbao
, Koikili was signed from third division
team Sestao River Club
for the start of 2007–08. He made his La Liga
debut on 26 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Navarre
se neighbours CA Osasuna
, whose B club
he had already represented in the late 90's/early 2000's.
For much of the season's duration, Koikili was first-choice, dislodging international
Asier del Horno
. On his 27th birthday, he scored his first top level goal, in a 1–1 home draw against Real Murcia
.
Koi appeared slightly less in the following two seasons for Athletic, but still contributed with 52 official games combined (ten in the Spanish Cup
, with the team reaching the final
in the 2008–09 edition, and one in the newly-created UEFA Europa League). On 11 January 2009, he scored the 1–1 at Atlético Madrid, as the Basque
eventually won it 3–2.
Koikili was deemed surplus to requirements at Athletic in 2011–12
after the appointment of manager Marcelo Bielsa
, alongside teammates Aitor Ocio
and Iban Zubiaurre. He remained with the team however.
Otxandio
Otxandio is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the Autonomous Community of Basque Country, northern Spain.Athletic Bilbao left-back Koikili Lertxundi was born in Otxandio.-External links:*...
, Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
), or Koi for short, is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
as a left defender.
Football career
Playing fourth tierTercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
football just two seasons before moving to Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, Koikili was signed from third division
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
team Sestao River Club
Sestao River Club
Sestao River Club is a Spanish football team based in Sestao, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1996, it plays in Segunda División B – Group 2, holding home games at Estadio Las Llanas, with a capacity of 8,000 seats.-History:...
for the start of 2007–08. He made his La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
debut on 26 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se neighbours CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, whose B club
CA Osasuna B
Club Atlético Osasuna B, usually known as Osasuna B, is a Spanish football club based in Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre...
he had already represented in the late 90's/early 2000's.
For much of the season's duration, Koikili was first-choice, dislodging international
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
Asier del Horno
Asier del Horno
Asier del Horno Cosgaya is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Levante UD mainly as a left defender.-Athletic Bilbao:...
. On his 27th birthday, he scored his first top level goal, in a 1–1 home draw against Real Murcia
Real Murcia
Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the region of Murcia. Founded in 1908, it currently plays in the second division, playing home matches at Estadio Nueva Condomina, which can hold 33,045 spectators....
.
Koi appeared slightly less in the following two seasons for Athletic, but still contributed with 52 official games combined (ten in the Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
, with the team reaching the final
2009 Copa del Rey Final
The 2009 Copa del Rey Final was the 105th final of the Spanish cup competition, the Copa del Rey. The final was played at Mestalla in Valencia on 13 May 2009. The match was won by FC Barcelona, who beat Athletic Bilbao 4 – 1...
in the 2008–09 edition, and one in the newly-created UEFA Europa League). On 11 January 2009, he scored the 1–1 at Atlético Madrid, as the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
eventually won it 3–2.
Koikili was deemed surplus to requirements at Athletic in 2011–12
2011–12 La Liga
The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012...
after the appointment of manager Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
, alongside teammates Aitor Ocio
Aitor Ocio
Aitor Ocio Carrión is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a central defender.-Club career:...
and Iban Zubiaurre. He remained with the team however.