Rego cements first-team status with Athletic deal until 2030 | OneFootball

Rego has signed a new contract with Athletic until 30 June 2030 alongside president Jon Uriarte, underlining his rapid rise from the reserves to the first team.

According to El Correo, his ascent followed a familiar Lezama route, from Indautxu and Santutxu to the academy, then opportunity struck when Beñat Prados suffered a serious injury last summer and Ernesto Valverde looked to the B team. The Bilbao-born midfielder had only made a brief debut against Sevilla with a reserve-number shirt, but he seized the chance.

Rego featured in 41 matches in his debut season, including minutes against Arsenal, and scored against Mallorca to secure three league points. In Europe he was the only outfield player to appear in all eight Champions League games.

The long deal arrives with the midfield picture unclear. Ruiz de Galarreta, 32, remains influential when fitness allows, while Mikel Vesga, 33, has moved into a more secondary role. Younger options are pushing hard, among them Rego, 23, Mikel Jauregizar, 22, and returning loanees Peio Canales, 21, and Beñat Gerenabarrena, 23, with Beñat Prados, 25, also returning to normality.

Rego’s breakthrough came under Valverde, yet he must now impress a new judge, Edin Terzic. The coach from Menden arrives with his own ideas and a pre-season that looks a blank canvas for all. There are seven midfielders for two roles, with Canales primarily an attacking midfielder although he can operate deeper.

Source: El Correo