Fernando Amorebieta

Fernando Amorebieta Mardaras, Amorebieta (born March 29, 1985 in Cantaura, Anzoátegui, Venezuela), is a Spain-Venezuela Football (soccer) player. He plays for Athletic Bilbao as a Defender (football).

Amorebieta met Athletic Bilbao's eligibility standards, having been raised in the region, and through his parents, both of whom are from the Basque Country (autonomous community). He debuted for the first team in La Liga 2005-06, becoming an undisputed first-choice in the subsequent seasons.

Amorebieta expressed his interest in playing for Venezuela national football team; however, according to FIFA association rules, he should have switched codes prior to the age of 21, having previously played for the Spanish national football team in the youth categories.

In June 2007, he returned to Venezuela to play for the Basque Country national football team (a non-FIFA affiliate) against Venezuela, in San Cristóbal, Táchira in a 4-3 Basque win. The friendly match was the grand opening for the 43.000 all-seated Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, after 2 years of construction for the Copa América 2007.

In August 2008, Amorebieta was called by new Spain national football team Vicente del Bosque, for a friendly against Denmark national football team, alongside teammate Andoni Iraola. However, he did not leave the bench.