Elijah Gift named in Athletic squad for Champions League decider with Sporting | OneFootball

Elijah Gift has been named in Athletic’s squad to face Sporting on Wednesday at 21:00, a decisive Champions League group finale.

According to El Correo, Ernesto Valverde has turned to the B team winger amid a shortage in attack, with the Williams brothers and Maroan injured. It is his first promotion to the senior squad. Selton is also included, and Valverde considers his situation not straightforward.

Gift joined from Liverpool’s academy in summer 2023, with Liverpool compensated 1 million euros for the then 17-year-old. Born in Corella, Navarre, to a Nigerian father and a Navarrese mother with Cuban roots, he moved to England aged nine and later joined the Reds’ academy.

He began in the División de Honor youth side, scoring five in 24 matches in his first year, and featured once for the reserves in Segunda Federación. In 24/25 he stepped up to Basconia in Tercera RFEF, netting six in 18. This season he is with Bilbao Athletic in Primera RFEF and has not scored in 16 league appearances, with Jokin Aranbarri’s team in play-off places.

Jon de Luis covers the injured Vivián, Ibon Sánchez replaces suspended Jauregizar, and Asier Hierro adds depth in attack. Gift has also scored twice in five Youth League games.

Source: El Correo