Alvaro Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa Coca (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈalβaɾo aɾβeˈloa ˈkoka]; born 17 January 1983) is a Spanish retired footballer. He predominantly played as a right-back, although he also occasionally played on the left side.

He started his professional career with Real Madrid, playing mostly with the reserves. In 2006 he moved to Deportivo, joining Liverpool after half a season and going on to appear in 98 official matches over three Premier League seasons. In 2009, he returned to Real Madrid for a fee of £5 million, spending seven years there and winning eight major titles, including the 2011–12 edition of La Liga and two Champions League titles.

Arbeloa earned 56 caps for Spain, representing the country at the 2010 World Cup, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 and winning all three tournaments.

Club Career

Real Madrid

Arbeloa was born in Salamanca, Castile and Leon, relocating with his family to Zaragoza at the age of four. He started playing football at local Real Zaragoza, joining Real Madrid's youth system at the age of 18.

Arbeloa spent three full seasons with Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team, two of those spent in Segunda Division B. In 2004–05, he contributed 32 games and one goal – playoffs included – as they returned to Segunda Division after a 14-year absence. On 16 October 2004, he made his La Liga debut with the main squad, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 away draw against Real Betis.

Deportivo

On 24 July 2006, Arbeloa signed for Deportivo de La Coruna, with Real Madrid being entitled to 50% of any transfer occurring in the following three years. He said of his departure: "This is a strange situation for me; I have been playing for Real Madrid for five years, since I was 16", adding "Real always has the best players.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Альваро Арбелоа (russian)