Zigor Aranalde

Zigor Aranalde Sarasola (born 28 February 1973) is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a left back.

Football career

Early years

Born in Ibarra, Gipuzkoa, Aranalde began his football career at lowly CD Hernani, going on to spend seven of his eight professional seasons in his country in Segunda División.

In 1996–97 he was first-choice at Sevilla FC in La Liga, but the Andalusians finished third from the bottom so were relegated.

England

Aranalde joined Football League Second Division club Walsall on a two-year contract, just before the start of 2000–01. He spent just under five seasons at the Bescot Stadium, winning promotion via the play-off final in his first year and being a regular member until he was surprisingly released by manager Paul Merson, in March 2005; he moved on to Sheffield Wednesday immediately following his release, but was sent off in only his second game for the side and never appeared for them again.

In the summer of 2005 Aranalde signed for Carlisle United, who went on to win the championship and promote from League Two. He scored five goals during the course of the campaign, and was part of a squad which included two other former Walsall players, striker Karl Hawley and future Preston North End manager Paul Simpson; on 1 October he netted Bristol Rovers' 5000th ever goal in a 1–3 loss, in his own net.

On 16 May 2008 it was announced that Aranalde was being released from Carlisle, alongside Paul Arnison and Grant Carson. Two years later, after playing some amateur football in his country, he returned to England, being named chief scout at Brighton & Hove Albion in League One.

Honours

Walsall

• Division Two: 2000–01 playoff winner

Carlisle

• League Two: 2005–06