Guruzeta and Unai Simón, from Lezama residence to flatmates, a friendship that endures | OneFootball

Gorka Guruzeta has described how his friendship with Unai Simón began at Lezama and grew from shared digs to a flat. “I did not know anyone and I am a bit shy,” he said, speaking on Athletic talks.

The pair came through together and made their senior debuts in the same summer under Eduardo Berizzo. Simón started on the opening day of the 2018/19 season, Guruzeta followed seven days later.

Simón was among the first to welcome the forward after his move from Antiguoko. They shared the residence and Simón was asked to set an example, a partnership that stuck from day one.

A year on, Peru Nolaskoain joined them. They also crossed paths with Oihan Sancet and many other youngsters, before the trio moved into an Athletic flat in Lezama, had breakfast at the nearby café and trained together.

Domestic life was not always smooth, the cooking rota faltered and plates piled up. Away from football they spent afternoons at Max Center and the bowling alley, and went out when there was no game.

That bond remains. In the days before the gabarra, Guruzeta invited Nolaskoain to the party, he declined, so the striker honoured him by wearing his name during the celebrations. Nolaskoain, now with Eibar, joined in January 2024 and had also been part of the squad that lifted the Copa at La Cartuja.

Source: El Correo

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