An accomplished penalty kick taker, his entire professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao with which he appeared in nearly 300 official matches, winning four major titles including two La Liga championships.
In the summer of 1981, Urtubi moved to the Balearic Islands for his compulsory military service, spending a few months playing with RCD Mallorca in Segunda División and finishing the campaign with amateurs CD Margaritense, in both cases on loan.
[1] Upon his return he wasted no time making an impact in the Lions' main squad, scoring 13 goals in 62 games combined as the Basque won back-to-back national championships and conquering the double in the latter season.
In the 1985 Copa del Rey final, against Atlético Madrid, referee Miguel Pérez awarded the Colchoneros a penalty kick after a controversial handball by Urtubi – Bibao eventually lost it 1–2.
Urtubi continued to be an undisputed starter with the following coaches, José Ángel Iribar and Howard Kendall, with Athletic finishing 13th and fourth, respectively, and reaching the semifinals of the domestic cup in 1987, bowing out to neighbouring Real Sociedad.