The Bilbao-Cádiz connection

Athletic Club face Cádiz CF at the Ramón de Carranza on Monday night (21:00 CET).

Despite the distance, there is a strong connection between Bilbao and Cádiz, with both cities renowned for their proud citizens and unique cultures.

What’s more, there are ties on the football pitch too. Several first-team players have spent time at Athletic Club and Cádiz CF.

In chronological order according to the date of their debut at Athletic, we look at some players to have graced both sides.

Juan Antonio Prieto played five matches in Bilbao, making his Athletic debut in May 1954. After leaving the Rojiblancos, Prieto went to Cádiz where he made 11 appearances and scored three goals for the Andalusians.

Salvador Etxabe made his Athletic Club debut in September 1959 and turned out for the senior side 19 times. His last season as a professional came in 1968-69 at Cádiz.

José Luis Areta kicked off his career in Andalusia and passed through Xerez and Osasuna before making his Athletic debut on October 2, 1960.

After playing for Indautxu, Ignacio Arroyo signed for Athletic, making a first appearance on September 11. 1966. After two years in Bilbao and a brief stint at Racing de Ferrol, he ended up in Cádiz, where he spent two seasons.

José María Cenitagoya became a lion just 17 days after Arroyo. He made three first-team appearances and was a regular for Bilbao Athletic. He spent five season at Cádiz before retiring.

Ricardo Ibáñez spent his entire career between Athletic and Cádiz. He made his debut in March 1969 and spent five seasons in Bilbao and seven in Andalusia.

José Ignacio Madariaga arrived in Cádiz in 1972-73. Two years later, after a season at Barakaldo, he signed for Athletic Club.

After making his debut in November 1975, José Pablo Otaolea played six times for Athletic across two seasons. He left Bilbao for Cádiz, where he made three appearances.

Patxi Bolaños played in 39 matches for Athletic between 1980-1985 before making 29 appearances for Cádiz in 85-86, his only season at the club.

Andoni Cedrún Having spent two seasons with Bilbao Athletic, Andoni Cedrún made his first team debut in 1980-81. He left Bilbao for Cádiz in 83-84, where he played in 17 matches.

Iván Espadas made one appearance for Athletic Club in 1996, playing in the Copa against Zalla. He moved to Cádiz, playing 16 times and scoring four goals for the Andalusians.

César Caneda made his Athletic debut in February 1998, against Deportivo La Coruña. He also spent two seasons turning out for Cádiz, featuring 72 times.

Joseba Arriaga made his first-team debut with Athletic on September 1, 2002. He turned out a further 64 times for the Rojiblanocs and spent one season at Cádiz.

Armando enjoyed a long career as professional footballer. After a decade at the Andalusian side, he saw out his career at Athletic Club. He donned the gloves for Athletic 21 times, making his debut as a lion in 2008.

Ager Aketxe played a total of 34 matches for Athletic Club and scored the goal against Elche in the penultimate game of the 2014-15 season which helped Ernesto Valverde’s side qualify for the Europa League. As well as a loan spell in 2017, Aketxe signed for Cádiz in 2018-19, staying at the side for one season.

There are also several Lezama graduates who never made their Athletic debuts, but did turn out for Cádiz: Gorka Santamaría, Juanjo Santamaría, Oinatz Aulestia, Alex Goikoetxea, Mikel Martins and Asier Garitano