Lekue to retire at Athletic at season’s end after 11 seasons | OneFootball

Iñigo Lekue, the versatile Athletic full-back, will retire from professional football at the end of the current league season after 11 seasons with the first team. The Bilbao-born defender leaves as a One Club Man.

According to as.com, the 33-year-old decided to stop playing after being informed by the club’s sporting department that his contract would not be renewed. He will not continue his career at another club.

A product of Danok Bat and Lezama, Lekue moved through Basconia, the second reserve side, then Bilbao Athletic, with whom he won promotion to Segunda División.

Reliable and adaptable across the pitch, he accepted a squad role without complaint and consistently delivered. He has been among Ernesto Valverde’s trusted options in recent seasons alongside Mikel Vesga.

Lekue has made 281 competitive appearances for Athletic, including 18 this season, and has lifted three trophies. His honours are the 2023-24 Copa and the Supercopa titles in 2014-15 and 2019-20. LaLiga has three matchdays remaining.

Source: as.com