Petroleo
Esmeraldas (Ecuador), Club Sport Emelec (Ecuador), Celaya (Mexico),
UANL Tigres (Mexico), Al Arabi (Qatar)
Honours
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Biography
Iván Hurtado (born August 16, 1974 in Esmeraldas,
Ecuador) is a professional football player who plays as a
centeral defender. He is currently in the Qatari league after
starting his career in his native homeland with the small club
of his hometown, Petroleo Esmeraldas at the age of 16.
The next year, he moved on to one of Ecuador's biggest clubs in
Guayaquil, Club_Sport_Emelec and had 2 stellar seasons,
including a championship with the club with a free kick goal he
executed. His excellent play warranted a switch to the Mexican
leagues where he even further developed his defending techniques
and his intelligent read of the game. Ivan made a big impact in
his first club, Celaya, where he led them to the Mexican league
finals. "Bambam", as he is known to his adoring fans, then moved
to UANL Tigres.
Meanwhile, Ivan was one of the key players who played a major
role in securing a first ever World Cup berth for Ecuador in
2002. He had such an impressive tournament, he was appointed the
captain of a new generation of a hungry and ever-improving
Ecuador side.
Hurtado has a humanitarian side to him as well, opening an
orphanage in his hometown which houses over 300 children in
poverty. Has over 130 caps for the national team and counting.
