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Nuñez: “I’ve always wanted to stay at my boyhood club”

Nuñez: “I’ve always wanted to stay at my boyhood club”

The Athletic Club defender answered questions from the media after signing a new deal which keeps him at Athletic until 2025

Athletic Club central defender Unai Nuñez reiterated his joy at being able to sign a new contract with the club he has supported all his life.

The new deal keeps Nuñez at Athletic until 2025 and does not contain a release clause.

“It was a situation that took longer than expected,” Unai said about the negotations at a press conference in Lezama. “But in the end we reached a point which not only I, but also the club wanted to get to.

“This is my 14th season here and the club has also decided to place its trust in me. It’s true that for a moment I thought about going out on loan, but I always wanted to renew my contract and stay at Athletic and in the end both sides are happy.

“My objective was to stay at my boyhood club and I’ve managed to do that.”

Nuñez came to Athletic as a 10-year-old in 2007 and the defender insisted that he plans to keep pushing in order to establish himself in the squad.

“Why now? There was a moment of reflection in which I decided I wanted to fight for something I have always dreamed of, which is playing as much as I can for Athletic,” Nuñez said.

“Renewing without a release clause is a way of showing that I want to be here.

“I consider myself to be at the same level as my teammates and that’s why I’m going to work as hard as I can. I want to be at my best level when I get the opportunity and make sure I make it difficult for the manager.”

Athletic face Real Betis at San Mamés on Monday (21:00 CET) and Nuñez is confident the lions can move up the LaLiga Santander table.

He added: “We’ve been working hard during these last two weeks, only thinking about the match against Betis.

“We want to work on our flaws and I’m sure we’re going to move upwards and that we’ll turn this situation around.”