Ito (footballer, born 1975) explained

Ito
Fullname:Antonio Álvarez Pérez
Birth Date:21 January 1975
Birth Place:Almendralejo, Spain
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Extremadura
Years1:1991–1997
Caps1:145
Goals1:9
Years2:1997–1998
Caps2:34
Goals2:1
Years3:1998–2004
Caps3:160
Goals3:5
Years4:2004–2007
Caps4:66
Goals4:0
Years5:2007–2009
Caps5:65
Goals5:2
Years6:2009–2010
Caps6:22
Goals6:2
Totalcaps:492
Totalgoals:19
Nationalyears1:1993
Nationalcaps1:10
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:1997–1998
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:1998
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Manageryears1:2011–2012
Managerclubs1:Villafranca
Manageryears2:2013–2015
Managerclubs2:Díter Zafra
Manageryears3:2017–2018
Managerclubs3:Azuaga

Antonio Álvarez Pérez (born 21 January 1975), known as Ito, is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and a manager.

He amassed La Liga totals of 282 matches and seven goals over ten seasons, mainly with Betis (five years) and Espanyol (three).

Club career

Born in Almendralejo, Extremadura, Ito started playing professionally with local CF Extremadura, helping it rise from the third division to La Liga and making his top flight debut on 9 September 1996 in a game against Real Betis. Even though the club was finally relegated he was a key midfield element (39 matches, one goal)[1] and attracted interest from RC Celta de Vigo, which he helped qualify for the UEFA Cup in his sole season.[2]

Subsequently, Ito spent six years with Betis, being relegated in his second season but always being an important first-team member, on occasion wearing the captain's armband.[3] Released in 2004, he joined Barcelona's RCD Espanyol.[2]

With Espanyol, Ito won the 2006 edition of the Copa del Rey and, although a reserve in the Catalan team's 2006–07 league campaign – eight appearances – he played in ten UEFA Cup games as they lost the final on penalties, to Sevilla FC.[4] [1]

In July 2007, Ito signed with second level side Córdoba CF, being released at the age of 34 after two seasons of regular playing time, after which he dropped down a division and joined CP Cacereño in his native region.[1]

International career

After a fine individual campaign with Celta which led to a transfer to Betis, Ito earned his sole cap for Spain on 23 September 1998, appearing in the last two minutes of a 1–0 friendly win over Russia in Granada.[5] [6]

Previously, he helped the under-21s win the 1998 UEFA European Championships, playing in the final against Greece.

Honours

Club

Espanyol

2005–06[7]

Runner-up 2006–07[8]

International

Spain U21

1998[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yo jugué en el Real Betis: Ito. I played for Real Betis: Ito. Vavel. J. Julián. Fernández S.. Spanish. 31 August 2013. 3 January 2019.
  2. Web site: Ito: La Extremadura dorada de los 90. Ito: The golden Extremadura of the 90s. Cadena COPE. Miguel. Palazón. Spanish. 10 February 2016. 3 January 2019.
  3. News: El Español pretende fichar al extremeño Ito. Español want to sign Extremaduran Ito. El Periódico de Extremadura. Spanish. 14 July 2004. 3 January 2019.
  4. Web site: Antonio Álvarez "Ito". Hall of Fame Perico. Spanish. 18 April 2009. 19 February 2015.
  5. News: Camacho debuta con épica. Camacho has epic debut. Mundo Deportivo. Jesús. Galindo. Spanish. 24 September 1998. 23 October 2012.
  6. News: El extremeño Ito era el más feliz de todos. Extremadura's Ito was happiest one of all. Mundo Deportivo. Nicasio. García. Spanish. 24 September 1998. 23 October 2012.
  7. News: ¡Increíble Espanyol!. Incredible Espanyol!. Mundo Deportivo. Andrés. Astruells. Spanish. 13 April 2006. 19 February 2015.
  8. Web site: Palop lauds perfect performance. UEFA. John. Atkin. 17 May 2007. 19 February 2015.
  9. Web site: 1998: Iván Pérez applies finishing touch. UEFA. 19 February 2015.