25 years of life, and 25 as a member | OneFootball

At 25, Zumaia native Ioritz Yeregui has been a Real Sociedad member since birth. His seat at La Cartuja was assured, unlike friends who depended on the draw, since guaranteed access went to members with more than 25 uninterrupted years.

His parents enrolled him the day he was born on 12 November 2000, continuing a family tradition, according to Diario Vasco.

Father Luis Mari and mother Leire are lifelong realzales. Luis Mari recalls Zamora’s goal at El Molinón that sealed the 1981 title, and trips to the 1987 and 1988 finals in Zaragoza and the Bernabéu.

Brothers Unax, born 2003, and Xeber, 2005, also became members at birth. They did not meet the 25-year threshold, but were successful in the draw, so the whole family will be in Sevilla.

Taken to Anoeta from infancy, Yeregui’s early touchstones include a Nihat shirt, the 2008 setback in Vitoria and the 2010 promotion against Celta. The Champions League tie with Lyon and a family trip to Leverkusen deepened the bond.

The behind-closed-doors Copa final against Athletic was bittersweet. He and friends based themselves in Donostia, waved the team off at Zubieta, ate at Lizeaga and celebrated as best they could.

After semi-final exits to Mallorca and Real Madrid, he feared another chance might not come, then sensed momentum building as La Real advanced and beat Athletic well in the last four. He will travel by bus with 40 friends from Pantxita Etxezarreta at 23:00 on Friday, returning at 4:00 after the match, a 125 euros trip that skips accommodation to be back for San Telmos.

Yeregui expects a demanding final and believes La Real can win. He will be in the Gol Sur singing section with Peña Algorri of Zumaia, while others have bought nearby seats to push the team.

Source: Diario Vasco