IGNACIO ACHUCARRO, THE FOURTH INDUCTEE TO THE SEVILLA FC HALL OF FAME, HAS PASSED AWAY

Ignacio Achucarro, former Paraguayan international and Sevilla FC player between 1958 and 1958, has sadly passed away at the age of 85. After having played nearly 300 games for Sevilla, he was presented as the fourth inductee to the Sevilla FC Hall of Fame in 2012. Achucarro arrived in the Andalusian capital in the late 1950s after a successful qualifying campaign for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. 

One of the most memorable memories of his time with the Nervión club was his midfield partnership with Manuel Ruiz Sosa. At a time when there were financial issues at the club after the construction of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, Ignacio Achucarro became a fan-favourite, and wore the captain's armband. The Paraguayan international had his best seasons as a Sevilla FC player, and such was his passion for the club that he did not let a broken kneecap stop him from playing in the relegation battle in the 1966/67 season. Sevilla FC, under Juan Arza's management, was able to avoid relegation, and a lot of this was down to Achucarro's sacrifice and hard work for the club, which made him an even bigger Sevilla FC legend. 

For decades, he was the foreign player who had played the most games for Sevilla FC

With Sevilla FC playing in the silver division the following season, the Paraguayan's contract had expired as a Sevillista. Despite receiving many offers from both Spanish and European clubs, Ignacio Achucarro decided that his time had come to an end in Europe and as a Sevilla FC player. Every seat in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán was taken as they bid farewell to Achucarro in a testimonial match against his new side, Guaraní. He then returned to his beloved Olimpia, before finishing his career with Libertad and Sportivo Luqueño. 

Having played a total of 280 games for the club, the Paraguayan held the record for the foreign player who had played the most games for Sevilla FC for decades. After a sterling career in Nervión, he was presented as the fourth inductee to the Sevilla FC Hall of Fame in 2012. At the award ceremony, he also received the Arsenio Erico Medal, the highest achievement awarded by the Paraguayan Football Association. Sevilla FC, who has refused to comment until receiving confirmation of the news, would like to express its most sincere condolences to Ignacio Achucarro's family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Ignacio Achucarro.