Footballers who have played for Real Sociedad and Athletic Club | OneFootball

From Rafael Iriondo to Robert Navarro, many footballers have represented both Real Sociedad and Athletic Club. According to AS, their moves span from the 1940s to the present day.

Rafael Iriondo spent 13 years with Athletic from 1940 to 1953, then finished his playing days at Real Sociedad, retiring after 1954/55. He later coached them from 1972 to 1974.

Jon Andoni Goikoetxea spent 1988 to 1990 on loan at Real Sociedad from Barcelona, then joined Athletic in 1994 for three seasons. Joseba Etxeberria left Real Sociedad for Athletic in 1995 for 550 million pesetas.

Iban Zubiaurre broke into Real Sociedad’s first team in 2004/05 and signed for Athletic in 2006 after the so-called “Caso Zubiaurre”. Igor Gabilondo moved from Real Sociedad to Athletic in 2006, playing 170 matches and scoring 24 goals.

Iñigo Martínez debuted for Real Sociedad on 27 August 2011, then on 30 January 2018 Athletic paid his 32 million euros clause. Goalkeeper Alex Remiro left Athletic on a free in June 2019 and signed for Real Sociedad, where he is first choice.

Andoni Gorosabel debuted for Real Sociedad in 2017, left for Alavés in 2023 and joined Athletic on a free in 2024. Robert Navarro arrived from Monaco in 2019 for 6 million euros and this summer signed a five-year Athletic deal, scoring the 3-2 winner on 17 August against Sevilla.

Source: AS