Five youngsters to do pre-season with senior squad

Athletic Club always backs its youth system. This summer, no less than five footballers who played for Bilbao Athletic last season will spend pre-season with Marcelino García Toral and the first-team squad.

The players taking the step up are: goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala, midfielder Beñat Prados as well as forwards Juan Artola, Nico Williams and Nico Serrano.

Williams, younger brother of Iñaki, is the only one of them to have made his official debut as a Lion to date. However, Prados and Serrano were involved in some friendly matches under Gaizka Garitano last summer.

JULEN AGIRREZABALA
Julen Agirrezabala, 20, has performed spectacularly in his debut season for Bilbao Athletic, hampered only by an untimely muscle injury. A graduate of Antiguoko, the player from San Sebastian has spent three seasons at Lezama.

He started with the Under-18s, moved on to Basconia and established himself at Bilbao Athletic under Joseba Etxeberria last season. His progression has not gone unnoticed by Athletic Club, with the shotstopper signing a contract extension until 2025.

BEÑAT PRADOS
Beñat Prados, 20, who recently signed a new deal until 2025, and has made 38 appearances for the reserves, is one of Lezama’s brightest midfield hopes. He has just completed his second, and first full, season with Bilbao Athletic, having previously combined his playing time with Basconia.

Capped at youth level for the Spanish national side, he joined Athletic from UD Txantrea as a 14-year-old. Last season, he took part in three friendlies under Gaizka Garitano, against UD Logroñés, Deportivo Alavés and Real Oviedo.

JUAN ARTOLA
Juan Artola, 21, has earned his promotion to the first team pre-season through hard work and goals. The striker, who has scored 10 of his 18 goals for the reserves in his second season, arrived from Romo as a youngster and has spent his entire career in the youth ranks at Lezama.

His versatility means he can play in every forward position and his performances led to him being given a new deal until 2025.

NICO WILLIAMS
Nico Williams, 18, has already had his first taste of top flight football. The winger was rewarded for his fine form at Bilbao Athletic, scoring nine goal in 26 games, with Marcelino bringing him on for the last half-hour against Real Valladolid and Sevilla FC.

Despite his young age, the Club offered Nico a long-term deal, keeping the winger at Athletic for several season. Nico, Iñaki’s brother, has been at Lezama since joining from CA Osasuna in 2013-14 , and was called up to the Spanish Under-19s squad this year.

NICO SERRANO
Nico Serrano, 18, is the youngest of the five. The left-footed midfielder stepped up fully to Bilbao Athletic last season, and scored three goals in 25 appearances. He has risen through the ranks relatively quickly, to the point where last year he took part in pre-season under Gaizka Garitano and participated in three matches, against UD Logroñés, Deportivo Alavés and Real Oviedo.

He was also called up to the Spanish Under-19s this season. He came to Lezama as a 15-year-old, joining from Villarreal CF.