Mikel Arce
# Mikel Arce

Mikel Arce Hualde (born 15 June 1984) is a Spanish former footballer who played as a forward.

## Club career

### Early years

Arce was born in Pamplona, Navarre. After graduating from CA Osasuna's youth academy he spent the entirety of his Spanish career in the lower leagues; he appeared only once in the Segunda División B, as a second-half substitute in SD Lemona's 3–0 away win against Marino de Luanco.

In the 2007–08 season, Arce scored 20 Tercera División goals for CD Lourdes. Subsequently, he signed for Major League Soccer side San Jose Earthquakes.

### Paraguay

In the following transfer window, Arce he moved teams and countries again, joining 12 de Octubre Football Club for whom he featured in the Paraguayan Primera División as the first Spaniard ever in the competition following the creation of the Paraguayan Football Association. Previously, he had a trial with Olimpia Asunción in the same country.

Arce said of his spell in Paraguay, compared to that of the United States, that he thought he would have an easier time adapting because he spoke the same language as the natives. However, he found that the challenge of learning Guarani was the equivalent of switching from Spanish to Basque in his homeland.

### Later career

In the summer of 2009, Arce returned to Spain and resumed his career in the lower divisions and amateur football.

## Personal life

In October 2012, in a Beauty King and Queen contest held in Villarrobledo, Arce finished in third position, being elected Best Spanish Body in the process.

