Eight debutants in Logroño

Eight players formed in Lezama achieved a dream by making their Athletic Club debuts in the friendly against UD Logroñés. Three of them, Jon Sillero, Oier Zarraga and Aitor Paredes, joined the Athletic ranks before they had even turned 12.

Jon Sillero, 22, born in Durango, is in his twelfth season with the Club having joined as a 10-year-old in 2008-09. Centre-back or full-back, he was Bilbao Athletic’s captain last year and has played a total of 96 times for the reserve side. He was called up to the first-team last season for the fixture against Real Valladolid, but never made his debut.

Oier Zarraga, 21, from Getxo. He started off with Athletic’s Under-10s, coming from his local club Romo in 2009-10. He is a central midfielder and last season he played in 29 official matches for Bilbao Athletic and managed to score five times thanks to his powerful shot.

Bilbao-native Aitor Paredes, 20, also arrived in Lezama at the earliest possible age. He joined in 2010-11 from Etorkizun de Arrigorriaga. He is a central defender and last season he split his time between Bilbao Athletic (seven matches) and Basconia (21).

Jon Morcillo, 21, and from Amorebieta, signed for Athletic in 2016.17 from Cultural de Durango, going straight into Basconia. Last season, the left-winger made 29 appearances for Bilbao Athletic and scored 10 times. He did well enough that he was offered a contract with the first team.

Ewan Urain, 20, who is of Scottish descent on his mother’s side, arrived at Lezama in 2015-16 from his hometown-club Cultural de Durango. After scoring 13 times for Basconia in 2018-19, he was promoted to Bilbao Athletic last season. He scored three goals in six games for the reserve side, but his progress was interrupted by injury.

Nico Serrano, 17, from Pamplona, was signed from Villarreal in 2018-19 and went straight into the Under-18s. Last season, the left-footer lit up the División de Honor scoring 14 goals in 19 games. He has been promoted directly to Bilbao Athletic for 2020-21, skipping Basconia.

Centre-back Oier Luengo, 22, was signed by Bilbao Athletic from SD Amorebieta in 2018-19. He went back out on loan to his hometown club after two games with the reserves, but he came back last season and won a place in the side. He played in 23 matches and scored three times as Joseba Etxeberria’s side made it as far as the play-offs against Badajoz.

Beñat Prados, 19, is a central midfielder from Pamplona. He came to Lezama in 2015-16 from Txantrea. In 2019-20, he divided his time between Bilbao Athletic (13 matches) and Basconia (15 matches), and scored one goal for the third team.