Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso
(born 25 November 1981 in Tolosa, Basque Country,
Spain) is a Spanish footballer who plays for
Liverpool. He wears the number 14 shirt at Liverpool
and is a central midfielder, often playing as a
deep-lying playmaker.
He was signed by Rafael Benítez, the then newly
appointed manager of Liverpool, from Real Sociedad
for a fee of £10.5m. Alonso has played for Spain at
Euro 2004, Euro 2008 and the 2006 World Cup.
Xabi Alonso and Everton-player Mikel Arteta were
neighbours on the same street while growing up in
San Sebastián and now live next door to each other
in Liverpool. Although Xabi is a regular player for
the Spanish national squad, Arteta has never had a
call up. Alonso also helped persuade former Real
Sociedad team mate Juan Ugarte to make a move to
Wales by joining Wrexham in 2004.
Xabi's girlfriend, Nagore Aranburu, gave birth to a
boy on the day of Liverpool's vital game against
Inter Milan. The baby is the couple's first, and
although Xabi stayed in Merseyside to be with her
while she gave birth, Rafa congratulated them after
the match which Liverpool won 1-0, to progress to
the last 8 of the Champions League. In an interview
with Liverpool's News Programme LFC Now on LFC TV it
was revealed that Xabi and Nagore had named their
little boy Jon Alonso.
