Mikel Arteta Amatriain was born on 26th of March 1982 in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain and is a Spanish international footballer. He is a midfielder, currently playing in the English Premiership for Everton.
Arteta’s girlfriend is the former ‘Miss Spain’ Lorena Bernal. He is close friends with Xabi Alonso, who plays for rivals Liverpool. The two are neighbours in Liverpool’s Albert Dock apartment complex.
Other neighbours include Pepe Reina, Everton team mate Nuno Valente and ex-Everton and current Barnsley player Anderson de Silva. He also shares a close friendship with Everton teammate Tim Cahill.
Arteta is multilingual, speaking fluent Spanish, Basque and Catalan. He speaks English and some French and Italian. He is also learning Portuguese.
Full name: Mikel Arteta Amatriain
Date of birth: 26 March 1982
Place of birth: San Sebastián, Spain
Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position: Attacking midfielder
Current club: Everton
Number: 10
Former Clubs
1999–2002: FC Barcelona B
2000–2002 PSG (loan)
2002–2004: Rangers
2004–2005: Real Sociedad
2005 Everton (loan)
2005: Everton