Pablo Ibáñez
Encyclopedia
Pablo Ibáñez Tébar sometimes known as just Pablo, is a Spanish footballer who plays for English Football League Championship
(second-tier) club Birmingham City
as a central defender.
He played for many years in Spain for Albacete
and Atlético Madrid, amassing La Liga
totals of 193 games and ten goals, before joining English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion
in 2010.
At international level, Pablo has 23 caps
for the Spanish national team
, representing the country at the 2006 World Cup
.
, Pablo made his first team debuts while it played in Segunda División
.
In 2003–04, he played his first La Liga
encounter, on 30 September 2003, in a 0–2 home loss against CA Osasuna
. He only missed one league game, helping the Castile-La Mancha
side finish 14th.
n Luis Amaranto Perea
, arrived in the same season
. His early form led to rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool
, Juventus
and Manchester United
, but nothing came of it.
In 2007–08, despite heavy criticism from Atlético fans, Pablo played in 34 league contests (netting in a 3–4 home defeat to Villarreal CF
), as the Colchoneros finished fourth, earning a return to the UEFA Champions League
; in the subsequent seasons, with the consecutive arrivals of Tomáš Ujfaluši
and countryman Juanito
, his importance would be gradually diminished.
A few months after Quique Flores' appointment as manager – the coach arrived in late 2009 – Ibáñez did not make the list of 18 for almost any game at Atlético, not even through suspension or injury to teammates, finishing 2009–10
with only seven appearances.
Pablo signed with English club West Bromwich Albion
– freshly returned
to the Premier League – for three years, after a successful medical. He made his competitive – and league – debut on 14 August, in a severe 6–0 loss at Chelsea; ten days later, in a 2–0 win at Leyton Orient
in the League Cup
, he scored his first goal for the "Baggies".
Ibáñez signed a two-year contract with Championship
(second-tier) club Birmingham City
in August 2011, at the end of the summer transfer window. The fee was undisclosed. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 home defeat to S.C. Braga in the group stage
of the Europa League. Away to Club Brugge
in the same competition, Ibáñez was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Joseph Akpala
and received lengthy treatment; in the tenth minute of the resultant stoppage time, Chris Wood
scored a winning goal for Birmingham.
debut on 17 November 2004 in a friendly match against England
which was played in Madrid
(1–0 win), and was Spain's first-choice centre back at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, alongside Barcelona
's Carles Puyol
.
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...
(second-tier) club Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
as a central defender.
He played for many years in Spain for Albacete
Albacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
and Atlético Madrid, amassing 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...
totals of 193 games and ten goals, before joining English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in 2010.
At international level, Pablo has 23 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Spanish national team
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...
, representing the country at the 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
Albacete
Having grown through the ranks of hometown Albacete BalompiéAlbacete Balompié
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Founded on August 2, 1940, it currently plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a 17,300-seat capacity.-History:The club was founded...
, Pablo made his first team debuts while it played in Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
.
In 2003–04, he played his first 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...
encounter, on 30 September 2003, in a 0–2 home loss against 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...
. He only missed one league game, helping the Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Castile-La Mancha is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities...
side finish 14th.
Atlético
The following summer, Pablo signed with Atlético Madrid, forming a centre back partnership with ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n Luis Amaranto Perea
Luis Amaranto Perea
Luis Amaranto Perea Mosquera is a Colombian footballer who plays for Atlético Madrid in the Spanish first division.Gifted with incredible stamina and pace, the central defender can also be adapted at right back....
, arrived in the same season
2004–05 La Liga
2004–05 season was composed of the following clubs:* Albacete Balompié* Athletic Bilbao* Atlético Madrid* FC Barcelona* Real Betis* Deportivo de La Coruña* Espanyol* Getafe CF* Levante UD* Málaga CF* Real Mallorca* CD Numancia* CA Osasuna...
. His early form led to rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, but nothing came of it.
In 2007–08, despite heavy criticism from Atlético fans, Pablo played in 34 league contests (netting in a 3–4 home defeat to Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
), as the Colchoneros finished fourth, earning a return to the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
; in the subsequent seasons, with the consecutive arrivals of Tomáš Ujfaluši
Tomáš Ujfaluši
Tomáš Ujfaluši is a Czech footballer who plays for Galatasaray SK in Turkey.He can operate as either a central or right defender, and has played professionally in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Spain.-Early years / Hamburg / Fiorentina:...
and countryman Juanito
Juan Gutiérrez Moreno
Juan Gutiérrez Moreno, aka Juanito , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Real Valladolid as a central defender.A player of physical display, he is also noted for his excellent aerial ability...
, his importance would be gradually diminished.
A few months after Quique Flores' appointment as manager – the coach arrived in late 2009 – Ibáñez did not make the list of 18 for almost any game at Atlético, not even through suspension or injury to teammates, finishing 2009–10
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;"|...
with only seven appearances.
England
In early June 2010, free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
Pablo signed with English club West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
– freshly returned
2009–10 Football League
The Football League 2009–10, called the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 110th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2009 and concluded in May 2010, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The...
to the Premier League – for three years, after a successful medical. He made his competitive – and league – debut on 14 August, in a severe 6–0 loss at Chelsea; ten days later, in a 2–0 win at Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in the League Cup
2010–11 Football League Cup
The 2010–11 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs....
, he scored his first goal for the "Baggies".
Ibáñez signed a two-year contract with 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...
(second-tier) club Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in August 2011, at the end of the summer transfer window. The fee was undisclosed. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 home defeat to S.C. Braga in the group stage
2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage
This article details the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League group stage.The group stage will feature 48 teams: the 38 winners of the play-off round, and the 10 losing teams from the Champions League play-off round....
of the Europa League. Away to Club Brugge
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
in the same competition, Ibáñez was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Joseph Akpala
Joseph Akpala
Joseph Akpala is a Nigerian footballer. He currently plays for Club Brugge KV.- Career :Akpala is a product of the Pepsi Football Academy in Lagos...
and received lengthy treatment; in the tenth minute of the resultant stoppage time, Chris Wood
Chris Wood (footballer born 1991)
Christopher "Chris" Grant Wood is a New Zealand footballer who plays for Birmingham City on loan from West Bromwich Albion...
scored a winning goal for Birmingham.
International career
Pablo made his SpainSpain 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...
debut on 17 November 2004 in a friendly match against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
which was played in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
(1–0 win), and was Spain's first-choice centre back at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
, alongside Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
's Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol i Saforcada is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back...
.
Honours
- UEFA Europa League: 2009–10
- UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: 2007 - Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe 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 ....
: Runner-up 2009–102009–10 Copa del ReyThe 2009–10 Copa del Rey was the 106th staging of the Copa del Rey. The competition began on August 22, 2009 and concluded on May 19, 2010 with the final held at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, in which Sevilla FC lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history with a 2–0 victory over...