Emilio Izaguirre

Emilio Arturo Izaguirre Girón (Spanish pronunciation: [eˈmiljo iθaˈɣire]; born 10 May 1986) is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a left-back for the Honduras national team.

Emilio Izaguirre
Izaguirre playing for Celtic in 2010
Personal information
Full name Emilio Arturo Izaguirre Girón[1]
Date of birth (1986-05-10) 10 May 1986
Place of birth Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Left Back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2010 Motagua 143 (4)
2010–2017 Celtic 175 (4)
2017–2018 Al-Fayha 24 (0)
2018–2019 Celtic 14 (0)
2019–2021 Motagua 31 (1)
National team‡
2005 Honduras U20 5 (0)
2007 Honduras U23 2 (0)
2007– Honduras 111 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 6 February 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2020

He started his career at F.C. Motagua, where he stayed for seven years. In 2010, Scottish club Celtic spent £650,000 to sign him. Izaguirre won four major player awards in his first season in Scotland. He has played over 250 games across all competitions for Celtic, winning six consecutive league titles in his first spell at the club, and a further league title when he rejoined for a second spell.

A full international, with over a century of caps, since his debut in 2007, Izaguirre has represented Honduras at two World Cups and the 2007 Gold Cup.

Career

Motagua

Izaguirre began his career at F.C. Motagua in the Honduran League. He made his league debut on 20 March 2004 in the 3–0 victory over Universidad in Danlí.[2]

On 22 July 2008, he had a 17-day trial with English Championship outfit Ipswich Town, but was unable to play in any matches,[3] having not received international clearance from Motagua. He therefore failed to win a contract and the move fell through.[4] The following April, he was close to a move to Belgium's RSC Anderlecht.[5]

In July 2010, it was reported that Toronto FC of Major League Soccer were interested in signing Izaguirre to a designated player contract, after two stand out performances in the CONCACAF Champions League against the Canadian side,[6] but this move did not happen either.

Celtic

Izaguirre agreed a four-year contract with Scottish Premier League side Celtic on 18 August 2010, subject to receiving a work permit.[7] He signed for a £650,000 fee[4][8] and was given the number 3 shirt.[3] He made his SPL debut in a 1–0 victory at Motherwell on 29 August,[9] giving a solid performance that drew plaudits from Celtic manager Neil Lennon[10] and Motherwell counterpart Craig Brown.[11] On 19 September, Izaguirre set up Anthony Stokes for the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.[12] On 30 October, he scored his first Celtic goal against St Johnstone, where he intercepted a back pass then flicked the ball over St Johnstone centre back Dave MacKay,[13][14] before slotting a goal under the goalkeeper. The game ended 3–0 to Celtic, with Izaguirre awarded man of the match for his performance.[15] In Celtic's 3–0 victory over Rangers on 20 February 2011, he set up Gary Hooper's second goal.[16]

In the 2011 League Cup Final defeat to Old Firm rivals Rangers, Izaguirre was sent off in extra time for a foul on Vladimír Weiss.[17][18] On 6 April 2011, he had another man of the match performance against Hibernian in a 3–1 victory,[19] setting up Stokes for the first goal of the game.[20] In the 2010–11 SPL season, Izaguirre achieved a clean sweep of available senior player awards as chosen by players, organisations and the Celtic supporters. Izaguirre won both the SPFA Players' Player of the Year[21] and Scottish Premier League Player of the Year[22] awards for 2010–11. The judging panel for the latter award described Izaguirre as a "class act",[22] while Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby commented that Izaguirre could become one of the best players in his position in world football.[21] On 8 May, at Celtic's award ceremony, Izaguirre picked up the Players' Player of the Year Award.[23] Finally, he was voted Scottish Football Writers player of the year.[24]

Izaguirre suffered a broken ankle in the second match of Celtic's season on 7 August against Aberdeen,[25] requiring surgery which ruled out for between four and six months.[26] On 27 August, he signed a new contract with Celtic, due to run until 2015.[27] Izaguirre returned to training, after recovering from his ankle injury, in December.[28] He made his long-awaited return as a substitute on 2 January 2012 in Celtic's 3–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park.[29]

Izaguirre played 32 league games as he won a second consecutive Scottish league title, and also featured in the 2013 Cup final, a 3–0 win over Hibernian on 26 May.[30]

On 30 May 2014, Izaguirre signed a new contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2017.[31] In the 2015–16 season, he was displaced as first-choice left back by 18-year-old Kieran Tierney.[32] Despite what looked like an emotional farewell after the final game of the season against Motherwell on 15 May 2016, Izaguirre told Honduras website La Prensa that he still had a contract to see out and had not had any discussions with the Celtic board.[33] He returned to Celtic for the 2016–17 season and played 12 games, covering for Tierney when the latter was injured.[34]

Al-Fayha

Despite being offered a contract extension, Izaguirre left Celtic at the end of the 2016–17 season[35] and joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Fayha on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[36] His stay in Al Majma'ah lasted just 11 months, however, as he opted to end his contract early. He stated: "My family has found the culture [of Saudi Arabia] to be very difficult. I have a meeting with [the club] to discuss my exit."[37]

Return to Celtic

On 10 August 2018, Izaguirre rejoined Celtic on a one-year deal.[38] At the end of the season, he turned down a further one-year deal, and left Celtic for the second time.[39]

Return to Motagua

Izaguirre signed a one-year contract with Motagua in August 2019.[40] Later that month he suffered an eye injury during a fan riot at a derby match with Olimpia.[41]

International career
Izaguirre challenging Ecuador's Antonio Valencia in a September 2015 friendly

Izaguirre was part of the national team in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.[42]

He made his senior debut for Honduras in a January 2007 friendly match against Denmark. He has represented his country in 17 FIFA World Cup qualification matches[43] and played at the 2007[44] and 2009 UNCAF Nations Cups[45] as well as at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[46]

He was also named in the Honduras squad for the 2010 World Cup, playing two games against Chile and Spain.[8]

Personal life

Izaguirre is known to live a modest lifestyle and is a Christian.[47][48]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 27 April 2019 [49][50]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental[lower-alpha 1] Other[lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Motagua 2004–05 Liga Nacional de Honduras 190–190
2005–06 300–300
2006–07 281–281
2007–08 251–251
2008–09 161–161
2009–10 251–30281
Total 143400–30001464
Celtic 2010–11 Scottish Premier League 33150400000421
2011–12 12010100000140
2012–13 320502010[lower-alpha 3]000490
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 340200010[lower-alpha 3]000460
2014–15 351504114[lower-alpha 4]000582
2015–16 17200107[lower-alpha 5]000252
2016–17 12000204[lower-alpha 3]000170
Total 1754180141450002525
Al-Fayha 2017–18 Saudi Professional League 2401020–00270
Celtic 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 14010103[lower-alpha 6]000190
Career total 3568200171510004449
  1. Includes the Copa Interclubes UNCAF, CONCACAF Champions League, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League
  2. Includes other competitive competitions, including the UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
  3. Appearances in the Champions League
  4. Six appearances in the Champions League and eight in the Europa League
  5. Four appearances in the Champions League and three in the Europa League
  6. Appearances in the Europa League

International
As of 11 October 2020[51][52]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Honduras 2007171
200870
2009130
201080
201110
201290
2013110
201490
201571
201671
201790
201830
201992
202010
Total1115

International goals
Scores and results list Honduras's goal tally first.[53]
GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.2 June 2007Estadio Francisco Morazán, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Trinidad and Tobago1–13–1Friendly
2.4 September 2015Polideportivo Cachamay, Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela Venezuela3–03–0
3.15 November 2016Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Trinidad and Tobago2–03–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.25 June 2019Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, United States El Salvador4–04–02019 CONCACAF Gold Cup
5.5 September 2019Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Tegucigalpa, Honduras Puerto Rico1–04–0Friendly

Honours

Club
Celtic

Individual

See also

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 19. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  2. Desafíe a Ismael Archived 4 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine LaPrensa, 7 May 2009
  3. Izaguirre is ready to live the dream STV Sport, 28 August 2010
  4. Celtic help Emilio Izaguirre live out his dream BBC Sport, 28 August 2010
  5. "Un back gauche Hondurien !" [A Honduran left back!] (in French). DH. 18 April 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. Emilio Izaguirre aún podría emigrar pues tiene ofertas de Toronto y Rangers de Escocia Univision, 10 August 2010
  7. Celtic sign Honduras defender Izaguirre on four-year deal Archived 11 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Reuters, 18 August 2010
  8. "Celtic complete deal for left-back Emilio Izaguirre". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 August 2010.
  9. "Motherwell 0 - 1 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 August 2010.
  10. "Emilio Izaguirre delights Celtic manager Neil Lennon". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 August 2010.
  11. Lennon: Izaguirre had fantastic debut STV Sport, 30 October 2010
  12. "Izaguirre and Mulgrew pen new Celtic deals". BBC Sport. 27 August 2011.
  13. St Johnstone 0 - 3 Celtic ESPN Soccernet, 30 October 2010
  14. Anthony Stokes, Niall McGinn and Emilio Izaguirre speak to ESPN ESPN, 30 October 2010
  15. Match commentary - St Johnstone 0 Celtic 3 Sky Sports, 30 October 2010
  16. Celtic 3 - 0 Rangers: Gary Hooper strikes leave Rangers trailing The Scotsman, 20 February 2011
  17. Celtic 1-2 Rangers: the key moments STV Sport, 20 March 2011
  18. Celtic 1 Rangers 2: match report The Telegraph, 20 March 2011
  19. Deadly duo fire Celtic back to the top of the table Archived 8 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Celtic FC, 6 April 2011
  20. Celtic 3 Hibernian 1: match report The Telegraph, 6 April 2011
  21. "Emilio Izaguirre wins Scotland's players' player prize". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  22. "SPL announces award winners for season 2010-2011". BBC Sport. 3 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  23. "Emilio scoops a double at Celtic Player of the Year Awards". Celtic FC. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  24. "More awards for Izaguirre, Goodwillie and Paatelainan". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  25. "Aberdeen 0 - 1 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  26. "Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre breaks an ankle". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14694312
  28. "Emilio Izaguirre ready for Celtic return". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  29. "Dunfermline 0-3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  30. Lamont, Alasdair (26 May 2013). "Hibernian 0-3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  31. "Emilio Izaguirre and Mikael Lustig sign new Celtic contracts". BBC Sport Football. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  32. Macpherson, Graeme (2 March 2016). "Kieran Tierney: I took Emilio Izaguirre's Celtic place but he still helps me every day". The Herald. Newsquest. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  33. Ferman, Jorge (19 May 2016). "Emilio Izaguirre: 'Tengo contrato y nadie me ha dicho más'". Diario La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  34. Lindsay, Matthew (4 November 2016). "Brendan Rodgers: Emilio Izaguirre can earn himself a new contract at Celtic while Kieran Tierney is out injured". The Herald. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  35. Butcher, Will (8 November 2017). "Izaguirre: I rejected Celtic contract offer". HITC. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  36. "Emilio Izaguirre 'very sad' at Celtic exit for Al-Fayha in Saudi Arabia". BBC Sport. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  37. Walker, Mark (20 June 2018). "Hibs fail in bid to sign former Celtic star Emilio Izaguirre". The Scotsman. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  38. "Delight as Emilio Izaguirre rejoins Celtic". Celtic. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  39. Walker, Mark (29 May 2019). "Emilio Izaguirre rejects contract extension and leaves Celtic Park". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  40. "Emilio Izaguirre firmó contrato por un año con Motagua". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  41. "Three die & Emilio Izaguirre among 10 injured in Honduras riots". BBC Sport. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  42. Emilio Izaguirre BBC Sport, May 2010
  43. Emilio Izaguirre – FIFA competition record
  44. UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2007 - Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine - Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  45. UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2009 - Details Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  46. CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2007 - Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine - Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
  47. Murray, Ewen (17 April 2011). "Celtic's Emilio Izaguirre takes 'Roberto Carlos' billing in his stride". The Guardian.
  48. Duncan, Colin (3 May 2011). "Celtic can achieve European success if current squad is kept together, says Emilio Izaguirre". Daily Record.
  49. "Football: Emilio Izaguirre". FootballDatabase.eu. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  50. Emilio Izaguirre at Soccerbase
  51. Izaguirre, Emilio at National-Football-Teams.com
  52. Roberto Mamrud (30 April 2020). "Emilio Arturo Izaguirre - Century of International Appearances". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  53. "E. Izaguirre". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  54. Conaghan, Martin (21 May 2011). "Motherwell 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  55. Wilson, Richard (15 March 2015). "Dundee United 0–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  56. English, Tom (27 November 2016). "Aberdeen 0–3 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
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