Ion Ansotegi

Ion Ansotegi Gorostola (born 13 July 1982) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a central defender, currently first-team coach at La Liga club Real Sociedad.

He spent most of his professional career with Real Sociedad after signing with the club at the age of 21, going on to appear in 226 competitive matches in 11 seasons. 124 of those came in La Liga (six goals scored).

Playing career
Ansotegi was born in Berriatua, Basque Country. After starting his professional career with SD Eibar (with a loan to Barakaldo CF included), he moved to local giants Real Sociedad. He made his La Liga debut on 22 January 2006 in a 3–3 home draw against Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby, and totalled 33 appearances over his first two top-flight seasons.

Ansotegi only missed two matches in 2009–10, being booked just six times in his 40 complete appearances – and adding four goals – as Real Sociedad returned to division one after a three-year absence. He featured in 32 games (all starts) the following campaign as the team retained their league status, but lost his importance in the squad following the January 2011 signing of Norwegian Vadim Demidov and the emergence of youth product Iñigo Martínez.

On 1 June 2015, aged 33, Ansotegi renewed his contract with Real Sociedad until 2016. On 1 February of the following year, after only two Copa del Rey appearances in the first part of the season, he cut ties with the Txuriurdin and moved back to his first club Eibar after agreeing to an initial six-month deal.

On 30 June 2016, Ansotegui signed a one-year contract with RCD Mallorca in the Segunda División.

Coaching career
In July 2017, having suffered relegation, the 35-year-old Ansotegi announced his retirement and immediate return to Real Sociedad as youth system coordinator.

Honours
Real Sociedad
 * Segunda División: 2009–10