Israel David Bascón Gigato (born 16 March 1987), known simply as Israel, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a right midfielder.
Most of his career, which was bothered by physical problems, was spent at Betis.
Club career Betis Israel was born in Utrera, Province of Seville. A product of Real Betis's youth system, he made his debut for the first team against Real Sociedad, on 4 December 2004 (nine minutes, 1–0 away loss).Sólo un detalle de calidad de Kovacevic (Only one display of skill by Kovacevic); El País, 5 December 2004 (in Spanish) During that season, he made a further seven La Liga appearances,El Albacete anunció el fichaje de Israel Bascón para su banda derecha (Albacete announced signing of Israel Bascón for their right wing); La Tribuna de Albacete, 13 August 2013 (in Spanish) adding three in the Copa del Rey where he scored his first goal for the Andalusians, against CD Mirandés.Copa del Rey – Third round, first leg; Soccer Spain, 12 January 2005
Israel played again just eight league matches in the following campaign, all but one as a substitute. He also appeared in both European competitions, coming from the bench against Liverpool and R.S.C. Anderlecht in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.Liverpool 0–0 Real Betis; BBC Sport, 23 November 2005El Betis se despide de la Champions con otra derrota (Betis say goodbye to Champions League with another loss); Sport, 7 December 2005 (in Spanish)
During the 2006 off-season, in August, vastly underplayed due to the presence of Joaquín in his position,Israel: "Ojalá sea la cantera la que suba al Betis" (Israel: "Hopefully it will be the youth system who promotes Betis"); El Correo de Andalucía, 14 October 2010 (in Spanish) Israel spent time at Chelsea on trial after a move to Real Madrid Castilla failed to materialise.; Buzzle, 12 August 2006 Nothing came of it, however, and he then left for Mérida UD on a loan deal.El ex bético Israel, en el punto de mira para la banda derecha (Former Betis man Israel, a strong possibility for the right wing); Diario de Jerez, 24 June 2011 (in Spanish)
Shortly after, Israel was involved a serious car accident where he broke a collar bone and suffered several contusions. He returned to Betis afterwards, being registered by their reserves in the Segunda División B.El último tren de Israel (Israel's last train); Diario de Sevilla, 22 September 2010 (in Spanish)
Israel scored his second competitive goal for Betis on 19 September 2010, heading from a Miguel Lopes cross past Real Valladolid's Jacobo in a 2–1 home win.El Betis remonta el tanto de un ex sevillista para seguir en lo más alto (Betis come from behind after former sevillista goal to stay on top); Marca, 19 September 2010 (in Spanish) He contributed 21 games – only four starts, however, in 644 minutes of action – during the season, as the club returned to the top flight after two years out.
Xerez In the following seasons, Israel continued to compete in the Segunda División, with Xerez CD.El Xerez ficha a Israel para los tres próximos años (Xerez sign Israel for the next three years); Diario de Jerez, 30 June 2011 (in Spanish) On 11 February 2013, he joined Super League Greece side Veria F.C. on loan until June.Βέροια: Πήρε δανεικό τον Ίσραελ από τη Χερέθ (Veria: Israel loan from Xerez confirmed) ; Inspor, 31 January 2013 (in Greek)
Albacete On 13 August 2013, Israel signed a one-year contract with third-tier Albacete Balompié.Israel llega al Albacete (Israel arrives at Albacete); Estadio Deportivo, 13 August 2013 (in Spanish) In November 2016, after undergoing three knee surgeries in only two years, the 29-year-old retired from football.Israel Bascón dice adiós al futbol (Israel Bascón says goodbye to football); Mundo Deportivo, 18 November 2016 (in Spanish)
Honours Betis Copa del Rey: 2004–05Israel Bascón se retira a los 29 años (Israel Bascón retires aged 29); El Desmarque, 17 November 2016 (in Spanish) Segunda División: 2010–11El Betis se proclama campeón (Betis are crowned champions); El Mundo, 4 June 2011 (in Spanish)
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