| Xabier Eskurza | |
| Fullname: | Xabier Eskurza García |
| Birth Date: | 17 January 1970 |
| Birth Place: | Trapagaran, Spain |
| Height: | 1.77 m |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Youthyears1: | 1980–1988 |
| Youthclubs1: | Athletic Bilbao |
| Years1: | 1988–1991 |
| Caps1: | 53 |
| Goals1: | 6 |
| Years2: | 1989–1994 |
| Caps2: | 114 |
| Goals2: | 7 |
| Years3: | 1994–1995 |
| Caps3: | 15 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 1995–1997 |
| Caps4: | 52 |
| Goals4: | 2 |
| Years5: | 1997–1998 |
| Caps5: | 24 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 1998–2000 |
| Caps6: | 51 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Totalcaps: | 309 |
| Totalgoals: | 15 |
| Nationalyears1: | 1989–1990 |
| Nationalcaps1: | 3 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 1 |
| Nationalyears2: | 1990–1991 |
| Nationalcaps2: | 6 |
| Nationalgoals2: | 0 |
| Nationalyears3: | 1991–1992 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears4: | 1994–1999 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 5 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 0 |
Xabier Eskurza García (born 17 January 1970) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
He achieved La Liga figures of 256 games and goals in 11 seasons, with Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona, Valencia, Mallorca and Oviedo.[1]
Eskurza was born in Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran, Biscay.[1] Progressing through the youth system of Athletic Bilbao, he made his La Liga debut with the club on 17 September 1989 in a 2–0 win over RC Celta de Vigo,[2] and scored his first goal in the competition two months later to help the hosts to defeat Real Zaragoza by the same result.[3] After strong performances in the 1993–94 season, he failed to reach an agreement for a renewal and signed for Johan Cruyff's FC Barcelona in a swap deal with Jon Andoni Goikoetxea.[4] [5]
However, Eskurza only appeared in 19 competitive games in his one-year spell at the Camp Nou, mainly due to a serious adductor injury.[6] In summer 1995 he joined Valencia CF on a four-year contract[7] but, two years into it, moved to fellow top-division side RCD Mallorca with whom he reached the final of the 1997–98 Copa del Rey, missing the last attempt in the 5–4 penalty shootout loss to Barcelona in Valencia.[8]
Eskurza agreed to a deal at Real Oviedo in August 1998.[9] He retired in 2000 at age 30, due to hip problems.[10] [11]
After his retirement, Eskurza worked as a players' agent.[12] [10]
Eskurza represented Spain at youth level.[13] He also earned caps for the unofficial Basque Country team.[14]
Barcelona
Mallorca
