Igor Zubeldia Elorza (born 30 March 1997) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or a central defender for La Liga club Real Sociedad.
Born in Azkoitia, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Zubeldia joined Real Sociedad's youth setup in 2008, at the age of 11. In June 2015, he reached the reserve team in the Segunda División B.
Zubeldia made his senior debut on 29 August 2015, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1âÂÂ0 away loss against CD Ebro. On 25 February of the following year, he renewed his contract with Sanse until 2021.
Zubeldia made his first team â and La Liga â debut on 13 May 2016, replacing fellow youth graduate Rubén Pardo in the dying minutes of a 1âÂÂ0 away win over Valencia CF. Ahead of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, he was definitely promoted to the main squad.
On 20 December 2017, after just 30 seconds on the pitch, Zubeldia scored his first goal in the Spanish top flight to put the hosts ahead in the 76th minute of an eventual 3âÂÂ1 home defeat of Sevilla FC. The next 29 June, he agreed to an extension until 2024.
Zubeldia contributed 31 league games in the 2022âÂÂ23 campaign (39 in all competitions), as the club finished fourth and returned to the UEFA Champions League ten years later. His debut in the competition took place on 20 September 2023, in a 1âÂÂ1 group-stage home draw against Inter Milan.
Zubeldia made his 300th competitive appearance for Real on 10 May 2025, playing the second half of the 4âÂÂ0 loss at Atlético Madrid.
Real Sociedad
Spain U21