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Zigor Aranalde Sarasola (born 28 February 1973) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
 Aranalde in 2021 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zigor Aranalde Sarasola | ||
| Date of birth | 28 February 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Ibarra, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Left-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1992 | Hernani | 33 | (3) |
| 1992–1994 | Eibar | 45 | (1) |
| 1994–1996 | Atlético Marbella | 56 | (0) |
| 1996–1997 | Sevilla | 22 | (0) |
| 1997–1999 | Albacete | 51 | (2) |
| 1999–2000 | Logroñés | 39 | (1) |
| 2000–2005 | Walsall | 195 | (5) |
| 2005 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2 | (0) |
| 2005–2008 | Carlisle United | 109 | (6) |
| 2008–2009 | Almansa | ||
| 2009–2010 | La Gineta | ||
| Total | 552 | (18) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2011–2013 | Albacete (assistant) | ||
| 2018–2019 | Watford (assistant) | ||
| 2020–2021 | Valencia (assistant) | ||
| 2021–2023 | Al Sadd (assistant) | ||
| 2023 | Leeds United (assistant) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early years
Born in Ibarra, Gipuzkoa, Aranalde began his career at lowly Hernani, going on to spend eight of his nine professional seasons in his country in the Segunda División.[1]
In 1996–97, he was first choice at Sevilla in La Liga, but the Andalusians finished third-bottom so they were relegated.[2]
England
Aranalde joined Football League Second Division club Walsall on a two-year contract, just before the start of 2000–01.[3] He spent just under five seasons at the Bescot Stadium, winning promotion via the play-off final in his first year and being a regular member until he was surprisingly released by manager Paul Merson, in March 2005; he moved on to Sheffield Wednesday immediately following his release, but was sent off in only his second game for the side and never appeared for them again.[4]
In the summer of 2005, Aranalde signed for Carlisle United,[5] who went on to win the championship and promote from League Two. He scored five goals during the campaign, and was part of a squad which included two other former Walsall players, striker Karl Hawley and future Preston North End manager Paul Simpson; on 1 October he netted Bristol Rovers' 5000th ever goal in a 1–3 loss, in his own net.[6]
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On 16 May 2008, it was announced that Aranalde was being released from Carlisle alongside Paul Arnison and Grant Carson.[7] Two years later, after playing some amateur football in his country,[8] he returned to England in April 2010 when he was named chief scout at Brighton & Hove Albion in League One.[9] He subsequently held the same position at West Bromwich Albion, later being part of the coaching staff of Albacete.[10]
Aranalde was named assistant manager at Premier League team Watford in January 2018, following the appointment of his compatriot Javi Gracia.[10] Both were fired on 8 September 2019,[11] continuing to work together at Valencia,[12] Al Sadd[13] and Leeds United.[14]
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Walsall
Carlisle United
- Football League Two: 2005–06
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2005–06[15]
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