Players

Gorka Larrea
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Born: April 7, 1984 in San Sebastián, Spain
Hometown: San Sebastián, Spain
Nationality: Spain
Last Club: Montreal Impact FC (MLS)
Pronunciation: gore-ka  lar-RAY-ah
Twitter: @SpikeGorka
Instagram: Spikegorka

Previous Clubs:  Montreal Impact FC (MLS, 2014), CD Numancia (Spanish Segunda Division, 2011-13), Levante UD (Spanish La Liga 2010-11, Spanish Segunda Division 2008-10), Real Sociedad (Spanish Segunda Division 2007-08, Spanish La Liga 2003-06), UD Almería (Spanish Segunda Division, 2006-07)

Indy Eleven bolstered its strength in the middle of the field on Feb. 9, 2016, with the signing of veteran Spanish midfielder Gorka Larrea.

The 31-year-old Larrea brings ample playing experience in his native Spain, including time early in his career with the powerhouse country’s youth international teams, with him to the Circle City.

The defensive midfielder played 22 games in Spain’s La Liga (first division) with Real Sociedad from 2003 to 2006 and Levante UD in 2010. He also played more than 100 games in the Segunda División (second division) for four clubs between 2006 and 2013, twice helping squads earn promotion to La Liga (UD Almería in 2006/07 and Levante in 2009/10).

Larrea most recently suited up for Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact FC, making nine appearances during the second half of the Quebec club’s 2014 season.

On the international scene, Larrea represented Spain on various youth teams, making 15 appearances from the U-16 to U-23 levels alongside future stars of the game like Andrés Iniesta and Fernando Torres. He was part of the squad that won the 2001 UEFA European U-16 Championship and also helped the Spanish U-23 side win the 2005 Mediterranean Games.

Larrea began his youth playing days with Antiguoko KE, a famed feeder academy for his eventual first professional club, Real Sociedad. He would make his pro debut on May 23, 2004, in the famed Santiago Bernabeu, where he helped Real Sociedad topple Real Madrid by a 4-1 scoreline.

Larrea upon his signing with Indy Eleven: "I feel extremely happy to be a ‘Boy in Blue,’ and I thank the club greatly for this opportunity. I talked to Coach Hankinson and he expressed to me his enthusiasm for the competitive spirit of the team.

“I know that the atmosphere at Carroll Stadium will be the best in the league because our fans are big in numbers and support. Soccer should bring fans happiness, so we will have to play very hard and with passion to make them proud of us. I will do my best to help the team achieve our goals, be hard to beat, never give up and dream big along with our supporters.”

Indy Eleven president and general manager Peter Wilt: “Gorka provides added talent and depth in a key midfield position. He comes highly recommended from Montreal as someone that will not only help on the field, but serve as a great voice in the locker room as well.”

Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson: “Gorka’s experience in Spain’s top two divisions combined with his time spent with Montreal [Impact FC] in Major League Soccer creates a great fit of experience and a working knowledge of the professional game in the United States. He is a true defensive midfielder that is most comfortable sitting in front of the defense and can act as a fifth back when that situation is necessary.”