Endika Guarrotxena

Endika Guarrotxena Arzubiaga (born 26 October 1961), usually known mononymously as Endika, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward.

His career was associated primarily with Athletic Bilbao, winning the national championship in 1984 as well as the Copa del Rey, in which he scored the winning goal in the final. He also featured in La Liga for Real Valladolid.

He later served a spell as manager of amateur club CD Getxo.

Playing career

Athletic Bilbao Born in Bilbao, Biscay, Basque Country, Endika was a graduate of Athletic Bilbao's youth system. He made his senior debut with the reserve team, Bilbao Athletic, in the regionalised third tier during 1979–80. Midway through his second campaign, he made his league debut for the Athletic senior team on 30 November 1980, a 4–1 defeat away to Real Sociedad, scoring a late consolation goal for his side.

He was promoted at the start of the following campaign, but only made seven league appearances and three in the Copa Del Rey, usually appearing from the bench or himself being substituted. However, his achievement was overshadowed in the reporting of the match due to the violent scenes after the final whistle between both sets of players. Athletic were awarded the Supercopa automatically the following year having won the double, and at the end of the season they reached the 1985 Copa del Rey Final, this time losing 2–1 to Atlético Madrid – Endika was brought on as a substitute with his team chasing a two-goal deficit.

In 1986–87, Endika posted his best figures for Athletic (30 league matches, completing 90 minutes in half of those),

Later years In summer 1987, Endika signed for top division side Real Valladolid, making 24 league appearances but scoring only three time and falling out of favour towards the end of the season. while still playing, and after retiring he became a physical education teacher at an ikastola in Sopelana, as well as a football coach. and winning promotion from the Biscay División de Honor to the Tercera División (regionalised fourth tier) at the first attempt, with his son Markel among the players. However the club were relegated back on the final matchday of the 2012–13 season after rivals SD Balmaseda won their fixture.

Personal life Endika is the uncle of footballer Iker Guarrotxena, who also came through the ranks at Athletic Bilbao but played professionally for teams such as CD Mirandés.

He is the uncle of Spanish and European Champion, the surfer Leticia Canales.

Honours Athletic Bilbao La Liga: 1983–84