Simón can equal Lezama’s Athletic mark with 263rd appearance | OneFootball

Unai Simón has the chance to make his 263rd appearance for Athletic on Wednesday against Espanyol, which would draw him level with Raimundo Pérez Lezama as the club’s fourth most-used goalkeeper.

As reported by as.com, Lezama kept goal from 1942 to 1957, and only José Ángel Iribar on 614, Carmelo Cedrún on 404 and Gorka Iraizoz on 392 have more games.

A Lezama graduate since cadet level, the 28-year-old debuted unexpectedly on 20 August 2018 at San Mamés against Leganés, days after being recalled from a loan at Elche in the Segunda División.

Then head coach Eduardo Berizzo brought back the Alavés goalkeeper three weeks after he had headed to the Martínez Valero, following Arrizabalaga’s move to Chelsea, Herrerín’s injury and Remiro’s refusal to renew.

After seven games he returned to the bench when Herrerín recovered, featuring only in four Copa ties in 2018-2019. The next season he claimed the shirt and, aside from fitness issues, has kept it in the league.

Internationally, he won European titles with Spain’s under-19s in 2015 and under-21s in 2019. First called up in August 2020, he debuted that November against the Netherlands and now has 57 caps.

He has played at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, and the 2022 World Cup, winning the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024. He also took Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020.

Source: as.com