Gerenabarrena aiming to earn role in Terzic’s new Athletic project | OneFootball

Beñat Gerenabarrena, 23, is among Athletic’s emerging pre-season options, bidding to earn a place in Edin Terzic’s new project after a successful loan at Castellón that reached the Segunda División play-offs.

According to El Correo, Terzic tracked the Lekeitio midfielder last season and phoned him after it ended to outline plans. He has monitored him closely in pre-season, holding one-to-one chats before training.

Athletic have won 3-0 against Derio and 11-0 against Leioa, with Sestao River to come this afternoon. Gerenabarrena has 45 minutes so far, replaced at the interval, and showed the flashes that endeared him to Castellón.

He began the Segunda season as a starter, dipped after a coaching change, then improved from matchday 13. He played 38 matches, around 30 from the start, and scored two, as Castellón pushed for a top six finish.

Mikel Vesga’s likely exit, previously linked with PAOK and now Mallorca, improves the lekeitiarra’s prospects. Last term Ernesto Valverde often paired Jauregizar with Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, turning to Alejandro Rego after Beñat Prados’ knee injury. Prados is back.

There remains a creative gap without Galarreta, and at 33 he may need careful management. Mikel González praised Gerenabarrena’s work-rate, personality and attachment to the club, while noting his future is Terzic’s call.

Gerenabarrena said he was urged to give everything and will focus on that. He could reunite with Jauregizar, Rego and Nico. Peio Canales is also pushing after Racing’s promotion to Primera, boosted by Unai Gómez’s move to Udinese.

Source: El Correo