Luis Prieto Zalbidegoitia
Encyclopedia
Luis Prieto Zalbidegoitia (born 19 February 1979 in Bilbao
, Biscay
) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Deportivo Alavés
mainly as a central defender.
, Prieto spent three seasons on loan at two Basque
neighbours, before establishing himself in the first team. His first team debut came in 2002–03's opening round, a 2–4 defeat at Real Sociedad
.
In 2005–06
, as Athletic finished 12th in La Liga
, Prieto netted four goals in 36 matches, notably the deciders (1–0 wins) at RCD Mallorca
and with CA Osasuna
.
After having appeared just three times during 2007–08, Prieto left Bilbao and joined fellow top flight outfit Real Valladolid
, on 10 July 2008. A regular starter in his first year, he saw time at central and right defender.
On 31 July 2009, Prieto was involved in a pre-season game against Ipswich Town
, played in honour of the late Bobby Robson
, who died aged 76 that morning. Prieto scored an own goal
, in an eventual 1–3 loss to the Championship
side. He appeared slightly less in the 2009–10 league campaign
, mainly due to the signing in January 2010 of Portuguese
Henrique Sereno
. On 16 May, he opened the score as Valladolid certified its relegation after three years, as they lost 0–4 at eventual champions FC Barcelona
.
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
) 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 Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
mainly as a central defender.
Football career
Coming through the ranks of Athletic de BilbaoAthletic 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...
, Prieto spent three seasons on loan at two 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....
neighbours, before establishing himself in the first team. His first team debut came in 2002–03's opening round, a 2–4 defeat at Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
.
In 2005–06
2005–06 La Liga
* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Betis* Cádiz CF* Celta de Vigo* Deportivo Alaves* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Málaga CF* RCD Mallorca* CA Osasuna* Racing de Santander* Real Madrid* Real Sociedad* Sevilla FC...
, as Athletic finished 12th in 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...
, Prieto netted four goals in 36 matches, notably the deciders (1–0 wins) at RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
and with 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...
.
After having appeared just three times during 2007–08, Prieto left Bilbao and joined fellow top flight outfit Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
, on 10 July 2008. A regular starter in his first year, he saw time at central and right defender.
On 31 July 2009, Prieto was involved in a pre-season game against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, played in honour of the late Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson
Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson, CBE was an English footballer and manager, who coached seven European clubs and the England national team during his career....
, who died aged 76 that morning. Prieto scored an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
, in an eventual 1–3 loss to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side. He appeared slightly less in the 2009–10 league campaign
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, mainly due to the signing in January 2010 of Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
Henrique Sereno
Henrique Sereno
Henrique Sereno Fonseca, known as Sereno , is a Portuguese footballer who plays for 1. FC Köln in Germany on loan from F.C. Porto, as a central defender.-Football career:...
. On 16 May, he opened the score as Valladolid certified its relegation after three years, as they lost 0–4 at eventual champions FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
.