Pablo Ibáñez

Pablo Ibáñez

Pablo Ibáñez Tébar (born 3 August 1981), sometimes known as just Pablo, is a Spanish footballer who is contracted to English Football League Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City until the end of the 2012–13 season. He plays as a central defender.

Pablo was born in Madrigueras. He began his football career in the youth teams of his local professional club, Albacete, with whom he earned promotion from the Segunda División to La Liga in 2003. A year later, he signed for Atlético Madrid where he made nearly 200 appearances over six seasons. His career with Atlético was marred by controversy when one of the 2006 presidential candidates for their city rivals Real Madrid claimed that a deal was in place for Real to sign Pablo should he win the election. Although he re-established himself in the Atlético team, contributing to a fourth-place finish in 2008, he played increasingly rarely towards the end of his time with the club, and in 2010 he moved to England. He spent a season with Premier League club West Bromwich Albion before joining Football League Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City in 2011.

At international level, Pablo was capped 10 times for Spain's under-21 team before making his first appearance for the senior national team in 2004. He went on to earn 23 caps and represented his country at the 2006 World Cup.