Koikili Lertxundi

Koikili Lertxundi del Campo (born 23 December 1980 in Otxandio, Basque Country), known simply as Koikili or Koi for short, is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as a left back.

Football career

Playing fourth division football just two seasons before moving to Athletic Bilbao, Koikili was signed from third level team Sestao River Club for the start of 2007–08. He made his La Liga debut on 26 August, playing the full 90 minutes in a 0–0 home draw against Navarrese neighbours CA Osasuna, whose B-side he had already represented in the late 90s/early 2000s.

For much of the season's duration Koikili was first-choice, dislodging international Asier del Horno. On his 27th birthday he scored his first top level goal, in a 1–1 home draw against Real Murcia.

Koi appeared slightly less in the following two seasons for Athletic, but still contributed with 52 official games combined (ten in the Copa del Rey, with the team reaching the final in the 2008–09 edition, and one in the newly created UEFA Europa League). On 11 January 2009, he netted the 1–1 at Atlético Madrid as the Basques eventually won it 3–2.

Koikili was deemed surplus to requirements at Athletic in 2011–12 after the appointment of manager Marcelo Bielsa, alongside teammates Aitor Ocio and Iban Zubiaurre – he remained with the team, however. On 25 June 2014 he retired at age 33, after spending two seasons at CD Mirandés.

Personal life

Koikili was a Greco-Roman wrestler in his youths, once being crowned Spanish champion at under-15 level.

Honours

• Copa del Rey: Runner-up 2008–09
• Supercopa de España: Runner-up 2009