Mikel Alonso

Tenerife Following his release from Real Sociedad, Swansea City boss Roberto Martínez offered compatriot Alonso a chance to regain fitness. After his brother highly recommended both coach and the player to arrange the deal, he accepted the offer and joined the squad in training.

However, Alonso would not remain in Wales and, in late January 2009, moved to Tenerife after being contacted regarding a season-long deal. He accepted the offer and stated that he had "heard good things" about his new team. However, he remained a fan of his former club Real Sociedad, stating that, although both sides competed in the second tier, he hoped they gained promotion; he contributed eleven matches in a return to the top flight after a seven-year absence.

In the 2009–10 campaign, Alonso began as a starter, scoring with a rare header in the second matchday, a 1–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao. However, he appeared less regularly in the final stretch, as the Canarians were eventually relegated back. He made his official debut on 5 October in the Football League Trophy tie at The Valley against Brentford, conceding a penalty in an eventual 3–0 loss.

Alonso was released at the end of the season, without making any appearances in any of the three major competitions.

Real Unión On 14 July 2014, after nearly two years without a club, Alonso signed for Real Unión in Segunda División B. Four years later, the 38-year-old announced his retirement.

Subsequently, Alonso worked as manager at Antiguoko and Real Sociedad B, acting as assistant to his brother at the latter.

International career Alonso earned five caps for the Basque Country regional team.

Personal life The first son of Periko Alonso, who played with Real Sociedad and Barcelona, Alonso grew up surrounded by football: he and his younger brother, Xabi – who also appeared for Real Sociedad before representing with individual and team success Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – would go training with their father when he was playing for Sabadell; all three were midfielders.

Influenced by his father, Alonso followed his example and became a professional footballer in the San Sebastián side.