Ekain Zenitagoia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Zenitagoia and the second or maternal family name is Arana.

Ekain Zenitagoia Arana (born 29 April 1994), simply known as Ekain, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Racing de Santander.

Ekain

Personal information
Full name	Ekain Zenitagoia Arana
Date of birth	(1994-04-29) 29 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Durango, Spain
Height	1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Racing Santander
Number	14
Youth career
	Durango
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2015	Iurretako [eu]	?	(20)
2015–2019	Durango	125	(42)
2019–2020	Amorebieta	25	(9)
2020–2023	Ibiza	90	(13)
2023–	Racing Santander	36	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20 November 2024

Club career

Ekain was born in Durango, Biscay, Basque Country, and finished his formation with hometown side SCD Durango. He made his senior debut with Iurretako KT [eu] in 2013, in the regional leagues, before returning to Cultu in 2015.^[1][2]

Ekain scored a career-best 18 goals for Durango during the 2017–18 season, as his club returned to Segunda División B after 12 years. He scored a further eight times in the following campaign, but could not prevent his team's relegation.

On 19 June 2019, Ekain signed for SD Amorebieta in the third division.^[3] On 13 August 2020, after scoring nine goals, he moved to fellow league team UD Ibiza.^[4]

Mainly used as a substitute, Ekain scored Ibiza's goal in a 1–0 win over UCAM Murcia CF on 23 May 2021, which sealed the club's first-ever promotion to Segunda División.^[5] He made his professional debut at the age of 27 on 13 August, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Real Zaragoza.^[6]

On 15 June 2023, after Ibiza's relegation, Ekain signed a two-year contract with Racing de Santander also in the second division.^[7]

References

1. "Suplen las numerosas 'fugas' con gente de casa" [They replace the numerous "exodus" with home-grown people] (PDF) (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
2. ""El fútbol nos debe una"" ["Football owe us one"] (in Spanish). Deia. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
3. "Ekain Zenitagoia, primer fichaje para la 2019–20" [Ekain Zenitagoia, first signing for the 2019–20] (in Spanish). SD Amorebieta. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
4. "Ekain is an Ibiza player". UD Ibiza. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
5. "Ekain Zenitagoia: "Cada vez que veo el gol del penalti del ascenso se me pone la piel de gallina"" [Ekain Zenitagoia: "Each time that I see the penalty goal of promotion I get goosebumps"] (in Spanish). Diario de Ibiza. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
6. "El Zaragoza decepciona y empata ante un valiente Ibiza" [Zaragoza disappoint and draw against a valiant Ibiza] (in Spanish). Marca. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
7. "Ekain, segundo refuerzo del Racing para la temporada 2023/24" [Ekain, second addition fo Racing for the 2023/24 season] (in Spanish). Racing Santander. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.

External links

• Ekain Zenitagoia at BDFutbol
• Ekain Zenitagoia at LaPreferente.com (in Spanish)
• Ekain Zenitagoia at Soccerway