Julen Agirrezabala returns to San Mamés with Valencia after injury lay-off | OneFootball

Julen Agirrezabala is back in Carlos Corberán’s Valencia squad, 125 days after his last call-up. The 25-year-old gets the homecoming he craved at San Mamés, where he is expected back for good in July, although there is no sign he will feature this season.

He suffered a quadriceps injury in Vigo in January. A March return was planned, but a meniscus tear struck after he had rejoined training. As reported by as.com, after surgery medics did not rule out a late-season comeback.

Mestalla holds an option to buy worth more than €12m. From the treatment room he watched Stole Dimitrievski claim the starting role. He impressed in Valencia’s 2-0 win in the reverse league fixture.

San Mamés should greet him warmly. He was a shootout hero in the 2024 Copa del Rey final against Mallorca, saving from Morlanes, and he kept Unai Simón on the Europa League bench last season en route to the semi-finals against United.

Another former Athletic player returns too. Unai Núñez joined on loan mid-season from Celta after an earlier spell at Hellas Verona. He has been solid, but a knock at Mestalla in April halted his run.

Athletic, safe after victory in Vitoria, chase Europe against a Valencia side wobbling after losing to Atlético Madrid and as Alavés, Elche, Sevilla and Levante have all taken points.

Valencia and Espanyol precede a pivotal Celta visit, sharpening focus on Txingurri’s farewell. It is Valverde’s penultimate San Mamés match, and the first since German coach Terzic’s arrival became official. An extra European berth via Rayo adds incentive as they lead the academy-minutes table with 41.

Source: as.com