r/AthleticClub

feels like Nico's been the guy who unlocks everything for this team the last couple seasons, and now he's out and there's still transfer noise about Arsenal circling him for something like €90m whenever he's fit again

Hope it won't affect us much without him, Guruzeta and Navarro have been solid finishers but I don't think either of them creates in the same way Nico does off the left

Hi everyone! I’m a French guy, (from Bordeaux to be more specific) and I gradually fell in love with Athletic Club after learning more about the club, and then visiting San Mamés and discovering its history.

I really love the club’s philosophy, both socially and in terms of what it stands for. It feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the hyper-capitalism of modern football, with Athletic trying to preserve such a strong local identity that both the supporters and the players can genuinely relate to. Politically, I also feel very close to the values of the club and its supporters. For example, I really admire the solidarity shown by the club towards Palestinians. And as a Girondins de Bordeaux supporter myself, I know there are also friendly ties between the two clubs and fanbases.

I work in southwestern France and regularly visit the Basque Country, both on the French and Spanish sides, and I’m hoping to settle there permanently within the next few years.

So yeah, there are plenty of reasons why I feel drawn to supporting this club!

None of this will change my mind — I’m actually starting on September 5th by going to Athletic–Atlético Madrid 😄 — but I was curious to hear your thoughts on what it’s like to support such a unique club when you’re not Basque yourself.

Eventually, I’d really like to join a peña as well, so I’d love to know what the general attitude is towards non-Basque supporters who genuinely identify with the club and its values.

>The Copa-winning goalkeeper leaves Athletic Club after 65 appearances; the club will receive a fixed sum for the transfer and retains the right to performance-related payments, a percentage of any future sale and a right of first refusal

>Athletic Club and Real Racing Club have reached an agreement for the transfer of goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala to the Santander-based club. Ibaigane will receive a fee for the transfer of the 25-year-old goalkeeper and retains the right to performance-related payments, a percentage of any future sale and a right of first refusal.
 
Julen Agirrezabala (25) joined as a youth player from Antiguoko KE and has gone on to make his mark at Athletic, to the point of becoming a key figure in the Copa victory under Ernesto Valverde, where he proved decisive in the final’s penalty shoot-out. It was a tournament in which he also shone under Marcelino García Toral, the manager who gave him his debut for the Lions, and with whom he had reached the semi-finals against Valencia CF after knocking out Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at home.
 
The goalkeeper from Gipuzkoa leaves Athletic Club having made 65 competitive appearances, having spent last season on loan at Valencia CF, during which he only lost his place in the starting line-up due to an injury from which he has now recovered. Julen Agirrezabala, runner-up in the UEFA Under-21 Championship, has shown himself to be a composed, determined goalkeeper and a superb team player. Yet another gem in goal to emerge from the prolific Lezama academy.
 
The Club would like to thank the player for his commitment and dedication throughout his time at Lezama and wish him the very best of luck in both his personal and professional future.

Wish him the best of luck, always was a fan of his.

can't believe we're really doing this, new manager's first competitive game and it's away at Barcelona to kick off the season. no easing in whatsoever lol.Valverde leaving still feels weird tbh, dude gave us a Copa del Rey and got us back into Europe after 40 years of nothing, that's legendary status in my book. but I get why the club wanted fresh ideas after last season, and Terzic coming from Dortmund at least means he's had big European nights before

honestly don't know what to expect system-wise yet since preseason friendlies don't tell you much. just hoping the lads don't get run over trying to figure out a new setup on the road at one of the toughest buildings in Europe

Looking across the pitch, Valverde’s structure is clear but with the demands of playing across multiple competitions, staying healthy and managing rotation is going to be key. Which position group do you feel most comfortable with right now, and where do you think we need to lean most heavily on Lezama or tactical tweaks to handle the workload?