Julio Olaizola
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![]() Olaizola in 1981 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Julio Antonio Olaizola Rodríguez | ||
| Date of birth | 25 December 1950 | ||
| Place of birth | Lasarte-Oria, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position | Left-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Real Sociedad | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1969–1974 | San Sebastián | 149 | (3) |
| 1974–1985 | Real Sociedad | 250 | (2) |
| Total | 399 | (5) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Julio Antonio Olaizola Rodríguez (born 25 December 1950) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a left-back.
Born in Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa, Olaizola played solely for his local club Real Sociedad. He started out with their reserves in the Tercera División, where he remained five seasons.[1]
Olaizola was promoted to the first team for 1974–75, but only appeared in his first game in La Liga in the following campaign, his debut occurring on 6 September 1975 as he featured the full 90 minutes in a 3–2 home win against Real Betis. He became an undisputed starter under manager José Antonio Irulegui[1] and, as the side was already coached by Alberto Ormaetxea, contributed 58 appearances and one goal in back-to-back national championship conquests in the early 80s.[2][3]
Olaizola retired in 1985, aged 34. He totalled 327 matches in all competitions.[4]
Personal life
Olaizola's younger brother, Javier (19 years his junior), was also a footballer and a defender. He represented mostly RCD Mallorca.[5]
