SD Eibar

Eibar

Full name	Sociedad Deportiva Eibar, S.A.D.
Nickname(s)	Armagiñak / Los Armeros (The Gunsmiths) Azulgranas (blue-and-carmines)[1]
Short name	EIB
Founded	30 November 1940; 84 years ago (1940-11-30)
Ground	Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa, Eibar
Capacity	8,164[2]
President	Amaia Gorostiza[3]
Head coach	Joseba Etxeberria
League	Segunda División
2023–24	Segunda División, 3rd of 22
Website	www.sdeibar.com
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Sociedad Deportiva Eibar (in Basque: Eibar Kirol Elkartea) is a Spanish professional football club based in Eibar, Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous Basque Country.

Founded on 30 November 1940, the team currently plays in the Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish football, having been relegated from La Liga at the end of the 2020–21 season. The club played in the top tier of Spanish football for seven consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2021, and participated in 26 Segunda División seasons (a spell in the 1950s, and most of the 1990s and 2000s), spending the rest of their history competing at lower levels.

The team plays in claret and blue shirts with blue shorts (originating from the kit of FC Barcelona)^[4] and holds home games at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium. SD Eibar is a fan-owned club, with about 8,000 shareholders from 48 countries.^[5] Until SD Huesca qualified for the top flight in 2018, the club was considered the smallest to have played in Spain's top division,^[6][7] and its stadium had the lowest capacity of any La Liga teams.^[8][9] Although Eibar is the sole professional club of its town, it contests several Basque derbies with other clubs from the region.^[3]

Eibar is the only football club which has the quality certificate UNE-EN-ISO 9001.^[10]

Formed by the merger of Deportivo Gallo and Unión Deportiva Eibarresa, the club was originally known as Eibar Fútbol Club, before changing to Sociedad Deportiva Eibar. During the difficult postwar years, the team played sporadically, which caused Eibar to disappear from official competitions during the 1942–43 season.^[11] Originally an irregular team, it was not until the 1943–44 season that it was reorganised into more of a full-time unit.^{[citation needed]}

Promoted to Tercera División in 1950, Eibar achieved promotion to Segunda División three seasons later, being relegated again after a five-year stint and competing in division three for 25 of the following 28 years (in 1977 Tercera became the fourth level, after the creation of Segunda División B). In 1988, the side returned to the "silver category".^[12] That season also included a historic moment when goalkeeper José Ignacio Garmendia scored a goal in a game against Pontevedra via a kickout from his own area.^[13]

After spending 18 years in a row in Segunda División, Eibar was relegated to the third division at the end of the 2005–06 campaign. However, it won its group the next season, thereby qualifying for the promotion play-offs where it won its semi-final tie against Hospitalet 2–0 and defeated Rayo Vallecano 2–1 on aggregate in the decisive round, sealing its return after just one year.^[14] Eibar finished 21st in the 2008–09 season meaning they were relegated to the Segunda Division B.

Eibar qualified for three straight promotion play-offs but could not get promoted to the Segunda División.

In the 2012–13 edition of the Copa del Rey, Eibar ousted Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao – who had appeared in two of the last four finals in the tournament – on the away goals rule to reach the round-of-16 following a 1–1 draw at the San Mamés Stadium. The decisive goal was scored by Mikel Arruabarrena who played youth football with the opposition, as did manager Gaizka Garitano;^[15] the same season the team managed to return to the "silver category", following a four-year absence.^[16]

In 2013–14 Eibar earned, for the first time in its history, one of two direct promotion berths to La Liga,^[17] which was certified on 25 May 2014 with a 1–0 home win against Deportivo Alavés.^[18] (they celebrated their feat with confetti originally produced by Barcelona, who wear the same colours and had anticipated winning the Spanish league title a week earlier, but that did not come to pass).^[19] Simultaneously, however, the club was threatened with relegation back to division three due to the financial inability of the S.A.D. to have a share capital of at least €2,146,525.95 before 6 August 2014. The club launched a campaign named Defiende al Eibar (Defend Eibar) with the aim of reaching the required share capital through a seasoned equity offering.^[20] On 15 July 2014 the club announced it had reached the established goal.^[21][5]

Eibar finished its first top-flight season in 18th, ending in relegation. However, after the season ended, 13th-placed Elche were sent to the second tier as punishment for financial mismanagement, and Eibar were reinstated.^[22]

On 18 July 2015, Eibar played its 75th-anniversary game against Celtic in Ipurua (1–4). This included an inaugural ceremony on the pitch with a parade of 19th-century-clothed Basque soldiers with a Saltire and bagpipes playing "Scotland the Brave", with officials from both clubs shooting a 350 kg 19th-century cannon. Eibar stated that they invited Celtic as their opponent for the game due to the strong connection between the Basque Country and Scotland, and also due to the Scottish presence in Eibar through the years (the main supporter group is named "Eskozia la Brava", meaning "Scotland the Brave").^[23][24]

Under its new coach José Luis Mendilibar, Eibar finished its second top-flight season in 14th. Borja Bastón finished top ten in scoring and was named La Liga Player of the Month of October 2015, making him the first Armero to receive the award. In April 2017, Dani García became the first player to reach the milestone of 100 top division appearances for the club.^[25]

The club's 10th place in 2016–17 was improved to 9th the following season, with the latter campaign marking the first time ever that Eibar had finished as the highest-ranking of the Basque teams.^[3]

On 16 May 2021, Eibar was relegated after a defeat to Valencia. This ended their seven-year stay in the top tier. The following season in Segunda, Eibar was in the top two of the league for the majority of the season, however, the team had to eventually settle for third place. In the playoffs, Eibar lost to Girona, and failed to make an immediate return to La Liga.

In 2015, the club signed a collaboration agreement with CD Vitoria (Tercera División) to act as an Eibar feeder team for emerging players.^[26][1] Eibar had previously disbanded their own B team in 2012 to cut costs while the senior side languished in Segunda División B but decided to seek a new formal arrangement for a subsidiary club after retaining their place in La Liga.^[27] Within two years of the partnership, Vitoria gained promotion to the third tier for the first time in their history;^[28] they were relegated in 2018–19^[29] and their home matches back in the Tercera División were then moved to Eibar.^[30]

On 26 July 2024, Eibar announced that the affiliation agreement between the club and Vitoria had ended, with the team which achieved promotion to Segunda Federación being fully integrated into Eibar's structure (under Eibar B) and with Vitoria starting a new project under their new board.^[31]

In summer 2016, the club expanded its club structure further by integrating local team Urkomendi (of the 6th level Preferente de Guipúzcoa)^[32] into the organisation as a reserve team to act as a link between the youth level and Vitoria, to be known as Eibar Urko.^[33][34]

Playing in the town's Unbe Sports Complex, Eibar Urko gained promotion to the provincial fifth level in 2018,^[35][36] but were blocked from a further promotion after Vitoria were relegated to the same due to rules preventing teams owned by the same club competing in the same division.^[29] This also meant Urko could not be promoted in the 2019–20, 2020–21 or 2022–23 seasons either, as Vitoria failed to achieve the same goal.^[37][38][39] Both teams were promoted directly as group winners in their respective divisions in 2023–24.^[40]

Also in 2016, Eibar made a 3-year collaboration agreement with UD Logroñés, with Eibar players going on loan to the Segunda B club for experience with the aim of achieving promotion due to the additional talent in the squad.^[41] Four players made the move that summer: goalkeeper Jon Ander, defender Amelibia, midfielder Sergio García and winger Thaylor.

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 1940–41 4 1ª Reg. 5th 1941–42 4 1ª Reg. 7th 1942–43 DNP 1943–44 DNP 1944–45 5 2ª Reg. 5th 1945–46 4 1ª Reg. 9th 1946–47 5 2ª Reg. 1st 1947–48 4 1ª Reg. 5th 1948–49 4 1ª Reg. 2nd 1949–50 4 1ª Reg. 1st 1950–51 3 3ª 1st 1951–52 3 3ª 2nd 1952–53 3 3ª 1st 1953–54 2 2ª 7th 1954–55 2 2ª 8th 1955–56 2 2ª 14th 1956–57 2 2ª 10th 1957–58 2 2ª 17th 1958–59 3 3ª 2nd 1959–60 3 3ª 7th

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 1960–61 3 3ª 3rd 1961–62 3 3ª 1st 1962–63 3 3ª 1st 1963–64 3 3ª 2nd 1964–65 3 3ª 2nd 1965–66 3 3ª 2nd 1966–67 3 3ª 1st 1967–68 3 3ª 2nd 1968–69 3 3ª 6th 1969–70 3 3ª 2nd 1970–71 3 3ª 7th First round 1971–72 3 3ª 4th Third round 1972–73 3 3ª 12th Second round 1973–74 3 3ª 2nd First round 1974–75 3 3ª 16th Third round 1975–76 3 3ª 19th First round 1976–77 4 Reg. Pref. 5th 1977–78 5 Reg. Pref. 3rd 1978–79 5 Reg. Pref. 1st 1979–80 4 3ª 4th First round

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 1980–81 4 3ª 3rd Second round 1981–82 4 3ª 1st Second round 1982–83 4 3ª 2nd Third round 1983–84 4 3ª 2nd Third round 1984–85 4 3ª 2nd Second round 1985–86 4 3ª 1st Third round 1986–87 3 2ª B 7th Round of 16 1987–88 3 2ª B 1st Third round 1988–89 2 2ª 16th Second round 1989–90 2 2ª 16th First round 1990–91 2 2ª 10th Third round 1991–92 2 2ª 12th Fourth round 1992–93 2 2ª 16th Third round 1993–94 2 2ª 10th Fifth round 1994–95 2 2ª 5th Third round 1995–96 2 2ª 12th Second round 1996–97 2 2ª 5th Second round 1997–98 2 2ª 10th Second round 1998–99 2 2ª 18th First round 1999–2000 2 2ª 11th Second round

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 2000–01 2 2ª 15th Round of 64 2001–02 2 2ª 8th Round of 64 2002–03 2 2ª 17th Round of 32 2003–04 2 2ª 10th Round of 16 2004–05 2 2ª 4th Round of 64 2005–06 2 2ª 22nd Fourth round 2006–07 3 2ª B 1st Third round 2007–08 2 2ª 13th Third round 2008–09 2 2ª 21st Second round 2009–10 3 2ª B 2nd First round 2010–11 3 2ª B 1st First round 2011–12 3 2ª B 3rd Third round 2012–13 3 2ª B 2nd Round of 16 2013–14 2 2ª 1st Third round 2014–15 1 1ª 18th* Round of 32 2015–16 1 1ª 14th Round of 16 2016–17 1 1ª 10th Quarterfinals 2017–18 1 1ª 9th Round of 32 2018–19 1 1ª 12th Round of 32 2019–20 1 1ª 14th Round of 32

Season Tier Division Place Copa del Rey 2020–21 1 1ª 20th Round of 32 2021–22 2 2ª 3rd Round of 32 2022–23 2 2ª 5th Second round 2023–24 2 2ª 3rd Round of 32 2024–25 2 2ª

*Avoided relegation to the second tier after the 2014–15 season due to Elche's administrative relegation because of tax problems.^[22]

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• 7 seasons in La Liga
• 30 seasons in Segunda División
• 7 seasons in Segunda División B
• 28 seasons in Tercera División
• 13 seasons in Categorías Regionales

• Segunda División

2013–14^[a]

• Segunda División B^[b]

1987–88,^[a] 2006–07,^[c] 2010–11^[d]

• Tercera División^[b]

1950–51,^[e] 1952–53,^[a] 1961–62,^[f] 1962–63,^[g] 1966–67^[h]

• Tercera División^[i]

1981–82,^[j] 1985–86^[k]

As of 20 November 2024^[42]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  BRA Daniel Fuzato 2 DF  ESP Sergio Cubero 3 DF  ESP Cristian Gutiérrez 4 DF  ESP Álvaro Carrillo 5 DF  ESP Chema Rodríguez 6 MF  ESP Sergio Álvarez 7 FW  ESP Xeber Alkain 8 MF  ESP Peru Nolaskoain 9 FW  ESP Jon Bautista 10 MF  BRA Matheus Pereira 11 FW  ESP Jorge Pascual (on loan from Villarreal) 13 GK  ESP Jonmi Magunagoitia

No. Pos. Nation Player 14 DF  ESP Hodei Arrillaga 15 MF  JPN Kento Hashimoto 17 MF  ESP José Corpas 18 MF  ESP Martín Merquelanz 19 MF  ESP Toni Villa 20 FW  ESP Antonio Puertas 21 MF  ESP Jon Guruzeta 22 DF  ESP Aritz Arambarri 23 DF  ESP Anaitz Arbilla (captain) 27 FW  BUL Slavy 29 MF  ESP Ander Madariaga 31 MF  ESP Ángel Troncho

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 GK  ESP Ibon Ispizua 28 DF  ESP Iker Alday 32 FW  ESP Aitor Galarza 33 DF  ESP Raul Giménez

No. Pos. Nation Player 34 DF  ESP Oier Llorente 35 MF  ESP Óscar Carrasco 36 MF  ESP Julen Agirre

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  ESP Aritz Muguruza (at Barakaldo until 30 June 2025) — MF  VEN Jorge Yriarte (at Murcia until 30 June 2025)

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW  ESP Eric Pérez (at Alcorcón until 30 June 2025)

Eibar's home stadium is Estadio Municipal de Ipurua, which seats 8,164 spectators.

Note: this list includes players that have appeared in at least 100 league games and/or have reached international status.

Gonzalo Escalante Frederic Peiremans Fabián Orellana Avimiled Rivas Derek Boateng Simone Verdi Takashi Inui Natxo Insa Damián Ísmodes Paulo Oliveira Igor Lediakhov

Pape Diop Marko Dmitrović Dejan Lekić Ander Alaña Xabi Alonso Sergio Álvarez Jon Altuna Txema Añibarro Mikel Arruabarrena Eneko Bóveda Ander Capa

Lluis Codina Roberto Echevarria Sergi Enrich Ciriaco Errasti Ramón Gabilondo José Eulogio Gárate Dani García Gaizka Garitano José Garmendia Agustín Guisasola Xabi Irureta

Javi Lara Roberto Lombraña David Silva Mikel Oyarzabal Aitor López Rekarte Jon Urzelai Kike Mateo Federico Magallanes Ivan Ramis

Position	Staff
Manager	Joseba Etxeberria
Assistant manager	Jorge Pérez
Goalkeeping coach	Jon Zabala
Fitness coach	Luis Prieto
Analyst	Andoni Azkargorta
Physiotherapist	Unai Ormazabal Manu Sánchez Joseba Perosanz
Doctor	Xabi Valencia
Physical trainers / Rehab fitness coach	Mikel Calvo
Chief of medical services	Honorio Martínez
Kit man	Ibai Díez Juan Luis Gárate
Field delegate	Germán Andueza
Team delegate	Iosu Echevarria

Office	Name
President	Amaia Gorostiza[3]
Vice president	Joseba Unamuno
Secretary	Jon Ander Ulazia
Directors	Virginia Arakistain
	Leire Barriuso
	J. A. Fernández
	Javier Gurrutxaga
	Agustín Lahidalga
	Antón Martinena
	Alex Martínez
	Javier Sarrionandia

Antonio Corral Artayer (1953–58) Luis Ciaurriz Ustarroz (1971–73) Juan Arriarán Aramburu (1974–75) Jesús María Sagasti Zorroza (1982–83) Alfonso Barasoain (1988–90) Mikel Etxarri Sasiain (1990–92) José Mendiluce Loyola (1992) José Gallastegui Otaduy (1992–93) José María Araquistain (1993–95) Miguel Ángel Alonso (1995–98) Enrique Ormaetxea Axpe (1998) José Gallastegui Otaduy (1998) Alfonso Barasoain (1998–99) Blas Ziarreta (1999–03) José María Amorrortu (2003–04) José Luis Ribera (2004) José Luis Mendilibar (2004–05) Carlos Terrazas (2005) Roberto Olabe (2006) Manix Mandiola (2006–08) Carlos Pouso (2008–09)

Josu Uribe (2009) Ángel Viadero (2009–10) Manix Mandiola (2010–12) Gaizka Garitano (2012–15) José Luis Mendilibar (2015–21) Gaizka Garitano (2021–23) Joseba Etxeberria (2023-)

1940–46	Juan Artamendi
1946–48	Bernardino Odriozola
1948–49	Crispin Garate
1949–57	Manolo Escodin
1957–58	Boni Guisasola
1958–59	Tomas Echaluce
1959–61	Manolo Zubia
1961–62	Pedro Irusta
1962–65	Luis María Fernández de Betoño
1965–67	Luis María Aranegui
1967–68	Roberto Cadenas
1968–74	José González Ortiz de Zárate
1974–77	Eusebio Oyarzun
1977–84	Paco Marquiegui
1984–88	Javier Arrieta
1988–2002	Juan Luis Mardaras
2002–09	Jaime Barriuso
2009–16	Alex Aranzábal
2016–	Amaia Gorostiza[3]

• CD Vitoria, Eibar's reserve team.
• SD Eibar (women), Eibar's women's team

• Official website (in Spanish)
• Eibar at La Liga (in English and Spanish)
• Eibar at UEFA (in English and Spanish)
• Club profile at BDfutbol (match reports in each season)
• Futbolme team profile (in Spanish)