Aitor Karanka
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Aitor Karanka de la Hoz (Basque and Spanish pronunciation: ; born 18 September 1973) is a Spanish former footballer who played mainly as a central defender (on occasion, he occupied the left back position), and is a manager.

Save for a brief spell in the United States, at the age of 32, he played solely in Spain for Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, appearing in 275 La Liga matches over 13 seasons and winning a total of six honours with the latter.

Karanka started a managerial career in the late 2000s, notably working as an assistant at Real Madrid and in his own right at Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Karanka played as a youth with hometown club Deportivo Alavés and finished his formation with Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao. He made his senior debut with the reserves of the latter in 1992, competing in the Segunda División.

Karanka was promoted to the main squad by Jupp Heynckes in 1993, following the departure of Rafael Alkorta. He made his La Liga debut on 7 November in a 1–1 away draw against RC Celta de Vigo (90 minutes played), going on to feature in exactly 100 league matches in his three full seasons before joining the German coach at Real Madrid in 1997 (replacing Alkorta who had just moved back to Bilbao).