Benat

Benat Etxebarria Urkiaga (Basque: [beɲat etʃeβaria urkiaɣa], Spanish: [beˈɲat etʃeβaˈri.a uɾˈkjaɣa]; born 19 February 1987), known simply as Benat, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder.

He spent the better part of his professional career with Athletic Bilbao, appearing in 242 competitive matches and scoring 11 goals while winning the 2015 Supercopa de Espana. In La Liga, he also represented Betis.

Benat earned four caps for the Spain national team.

Club Career

Athletic Bilbao

Benat was born in Igorre, Biscay. Coming through Athletic Bilbao's prolific youth ranks at Lezama, he played his first three years with both the third team, CD Basconia, and the reserve side.

On 29 October 2006, he appeared in his first – and only – La Liga game, which consisted of six minutes against CA Osasuna in a 1–1 away draw after replacing another youth product, Francisco Yeste.

Betis

In 2008–09, Benat played with UB Conquense in Segunda Division B, after which he was released by Athletic. In the summer he signed with Real Betis, but spent his first season with the reserves also in the third tier.

Benat made his debut for Betis' main squad on 29 August 2010, playing 20 minutes in the 4–1 home win against Granada CF and being involved in the play that led to Salva Sevilla's goal. Three days later he scored in his first start, a 2–1 home victory over UD Salamanca in the Copa del Rey. In the league campaign he contributed 36 matches (30 starts, 2.521 minutes of action) as the Andalusians returned to the top flight after three years, netting four times.

On 2 May 2012, Benat scored twice for his fifth and sixth goals of the season, in a 2–1 defeat of Sevilla FC for the local derby.

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