News
JUE 30.04.2015
Andoni Iraola, the Athletic Club captain, has announced his decision to bid farewell to the Bilbao outfit. The right back, who hails from Usurbil, has spent 12 seasons with the Lions, during which time he has become one of the players with the highest number of appearances in the history of the Biscay club.
"I've been renewing my contract from season to season for the last few years. I had it clear in my head that I had to choose the right moment to do this", said Iraola in a press conference that was held to announce his decision. "My mind has been made up since the beginning of the season. I don’t know where the future will take me. I’m in no rush to make any decisions yet", added the Basque player.
"The match I have the fondest memories of was the tie against Manchester United in the last 16 of the 2012 UEFA Europa League", he continued before adding that, "I began with Ernesto Valverde at youth level, he gave me my start with the first team and I leave here with him still at the club". Iraola, who made his debut against FC Barcelona in 2003, could play out his last game against the same club on 30 May in the final of the Copa del Rey.
The Basque player’s contract with Athletic Club runs until 30 June and he has decided not to extend it any further. His legacy at the Bilbao club is quite impressive. Iraola has played 507 games for Athletic, making his 500th appearance against Rayo Vallecano on 22 February of this year. Only three players have made more appearances than him for the club: José Ángel Iribar (614), Txetxu Rojo (541) and Joseba Etxeberría (514).
Additionally, he has featured in 404 Liga BBVA matches, reaching his 400th against UD Almería on 21 March. He also only trails behind the three aforementioned legends in this regard: Iribar (466), Etxeberría (445) and Rojo (414). Iraola ranks second in the list of Athletic players with the most European experience, with 46 games under his belt. Only Iribar played more matches than him on the continent, with 55. The Usurbil native has clocked up 33,400 minutes of playing time with the Athletic Club first team, scoring 35 goals in the process, 32 of which were in the Liga BBVA.
© LALIGA - 2015