| Israel | |
| Full Name: | Israel David Bascón Gigato |
| Birth Date: | 16 March 1987 |
| Birth Place: | Utrera, Spain |
| Height: | 1.72 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | 2002–2004 |
| Youthclubs1: | Betis |
| Years1: | 2004–2011 |
| Caps1: | 38 |
| Goals1: | 1 |
| Years2: | 2006–2007 |
| Clubs2: | → Mérida (loan) |
| Caps2: | 17 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2007–2010 |
| Caps3: | 87 |
| Goals3: | 8 |
| Years4: | 2011–2013 |
| Caps4: | 44 |
| Goals4: | 3 |
| Years5: | 2013 |
| Clubs5: | → Veria (loan) |
| Caps5: | 0 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2013–2016 |
| Caps6: | 20 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Totalcaps: | 206 |
| Totalgoals: | 12 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2003 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2005 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 1 |
Israel David Bascón Gigato (born 16 March 1987), known simply as Israel, is a Spanish former footballer who played as a right midfielder.
Most of his professional career, which was bothered by physical problems, was spent at Betis.
Israel was born in Utrera, Province of Seville. A product of Real Betis's youth system, he made his debut for the first team against Real Sociedad, on 4 December 2004 (nine minutes, 1–0 away loss).[1] During that season, he made a further seven La Liga appearances,[2] adding three in the Copa del Rey where he scored his first goal for the Andalusians, against CD Mirandés.[3]
Israel played again just eight league matches in the following campaign, all but one as a substitute.[2] He also appeared in both European competitions, coming from the bench against Liverpool and R.S.C. Anderlecht in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[4] [5]
During the 2006 off-season, in August, vastly underplayed due to the presence of Joaquín in his position,[6] Israel spent time at Chelsea on trial after a move to Real Madrid Castilla failed to materialise.[7] Nothing came of it, however, and he then left for Mérida UD on a loan deal.[8]
Shortly after, Israel was involved a serious car accident where he broke a collar bone and suffered several contusions. He returned to Betis afterwards, being registered by their reserves in the Segunda División B.[9] [6]
Israel scored his second competitive goal for Betis on 19 September 2010, heading from a Miguel Lopes cross past Real Valladolid's Jacobo in a 2–1 home win.[10] He contributed 21 games – only four starts, however, in 644 minutes of action – during the season, as the club returned to the top flight after two years out.[8]
In the following seasons, Israel continued to compete in the Segunda División, with Xerez CD.[11] On 11 February 2013, he joined Super League Greece side Veria F.C. on loan until June.[12]
On 13 August 2013, Israel signed a one-year contract with third-tier Albacete Balompié.[13] In November 2016, after undergoing three knee surgeries in only two years, the 29-year-old retired from football.[14]
Betis