Athletic Bilbao is maintaining its tradition of securing the services of pivotal players, as evidenced by the recent announcement that experienced left-back Yuri Berchiche has penned a fresh one-year deal.
At 34 years old, Berchiche, whose previous contract was set to expire in June, has committed to another year at the club, with the option of extending for a second season contingent upon his participation in a predetermined number of matches.
This extension for Yuri comes on the heels of agreements reached with forward Gorka Guruzeta and defender Aitor Paredes, both of whom have also pledged their allegiance to Athletic.
Yuri embarked on his football journey within Athletic's youth setup before venturing to other clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Cheltenham Town, and Real Valladolid. Eventually, he found success at Real Sociedad, where his performances caught the eye, earning him a lucrative transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. However, his return to Athletic in 2018, for a fee of approximately 20 million euros, marked a significant chapter in his career. Since then, Yuri has amassed over 200 appearances for the first team, netting 14 goals and establishing a formidable partnership with winger Nico Williams along the left flank.
Mikel Gonzalez, Athletic's Director of Football, praised Yuri's contributions, affirming his status as a cornerstone of the team. "Yuri has been our top choice for the past six seasons, and we continue to view him as a vital asset," Gonzalez stated, emphasizing Berchiche's commanding presence and unwavering competitive spirit.
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