Israel Bascón
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Israel David Bascón Gigato (born 16 March 1987), known simply as Israel, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Israel David Bascón Gigato | ||
| Date of birth | 16 March 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Utrera, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2004 | Betis | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2011 | Betis | 38 | (1) |
| 2006–2007 | → Mérida (loan) | 17 | (0) |
| 2007–2010 | Betis B | 87 | (8) |
| 2011–2013 | Xerez | 44 | (3) |
| 2013 | → Veria (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2013–2016 | Albacete | 20 | (0) |
| Total | 206 | (12) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003 | Spain U16 | 3 | (0) |
| 2005 | Spain U17 | 3 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Most of his career, which was bothered by physical problems, was spent at Betis.
Club career
Betis
Israel was born in Utrera, Province of Seville. A product of Real Betis's youth system, he made his debut for the first team against Real Sociedad, on 4 December 2004 (nine minutes, 1–0 away loss).[1] During that season, he made a further seven La Liga appearances,[2] adding three in the Copa del Rey where he scored his first goal for the Andalusians, against CD Mirandés.[3]
Israel played again just eight league matches in the following campaign, all but one as a substitute.[2] He also appeared in both European competitions, coming from the bench against Liverpool and R.S.C. Anderlecht in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.[4][5]
During the 2006 off-season, in August, vastly underplayed due to the presence of Joaquín in his position,[6] Israel spent time at Chelsea on trial after a move to Real Madrid Castilla failed to materialise.[7] Nothing came of it, however, and he then left for Mérida UD on a loan deal.[8]
Shortly after, Israel was involved a serious car accident where he broke a collar bone and suffered several contusions. He returned to Betis afterwards, being registered by their reserves in the Segunda División B.[9][6]
Israel scored his second competitive goal for Betis on 19 September 2010, heading from a Miguel Lopes cross past Real Valladolid's Jacobo in a 2–1 home win.[10] He contributed 21 games – only four starts, however, in 644 minutes of action – during the season, as the club returned to the top flight after two years out.[8]
Xerez
In the following seasons, Israel continued to compete in the Segunda División, with Xerez CD.[11] On 11 February 2013, he joined Super League Greece side Veria F.C. on loan until June.[12]
Albacete
On 13 August 2013, Israel signed a one-year contract with third-tier Albacete Balompié.[13] In November 2016, after undergoing three knee surgeries in only two years, the 29-year-old retired from football.[14]