Born in Bergara, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Etxeberria began playing with local Mondragón in Tercera División, based in Arrasate.
Exteberria's performances drew the attention of regional giants Athletic Bilbao, and in summer 1995 he was signed on the recommendation of goalkeeping legend José Ángel Iribar, joining a professional club for the first time at the relatively old age of 22.
Etxeberria was promoted to the main squad for 1996–97, and after spending the first half of the campaign as back-up to Juanjo Valencia he made his La Liga debut on 9 February 1997 in a 1–1 away draw against Rayo Vallecano,[2] and subsequently became the starter.
[3] Etxeberria eventually lost his starting position to Iñaki Lafuente,[4] being further demoted to third-choice by fellow youth graduate Daniel Aranzubia under manager Txetxu Rojo.
[5] Afterwards, Etxeberria spent some years as goalkeeping coach for Athletic's youth teams, interrupted by a spell performing the same role at Lemona working under his former teammate Aitor Larrazábal.