Julen Agirrezabala: the fourth youngest Athletic goalkeeper in the last 50 years

By making his official debut against Elche CF on Monday night, Julen Agirrezabala became the fourth youngest goalkeeper to play a LaLiga match for Athletic in the last 50 years. And, at just 20 years, seven months and 21 days old, the youngest goalkeeper to do so in the 21st century

Julen joins a total of 23 goalkeepers who have made an appearance for Athletic in LaLiga since 1971.

José Ángel ‘Txopo’ Iribar, an Athletic Club legend, is the youngest shotstopper to have ever taken his place between the sticks for the Lions. Txopo made his LaLiga debut on September 23 1962 in a Matchday 2 fixture against Málaga CF. In that match, he was 19 years, six months and 23 days old.

Andoni Zubizarreta takes second place in the list. The Vitoria-born goalkeeper made his LaLiga debut against Atlético Madrid on September 19 1981, at the age of 19 years, 10 months and 24 days.

In third place is Kike Burgos, who was 20 years, one month and 25 days old, when he made his official debut in a match against CD Castellón on March 16, 1991.

Agirrezabala, born on December 26 2000, is fourth in the list. The young keeper also recently signed a new deal with Athletic, keeping him at San Mamés until 2025.

Goalkeepers who have played in a LaLiga match since 1971 (ordered by age on debut):

• Iribar: 19 years, 6 months and 23 days
• Zubizarreta: 19 years, 10 months and 24 days
• Kike Burgos: 20 years, 1 month and 25 days
• Agirrezabala: 20 years, 7 months and 21 days
• Pampín: 20 years, 10 months and 16 days
• Valencia: 20 years, 11 months and 18 days
• Unai Simón: 21 years, 2 months and 4 days
• Aranzubia: 21 years, 8 months and 21 days
• Aizkorreta: 21 years, 9 months and 26 days
• Kepa Arrizabalaga: 21 years, 11 months and 8 days
• Jose Manuel Zamora: 22 years, 9 months and 30 days
• Zaldua: 23 years and 5 days
• Raúl Fernández: 23 years, 1 month and 3 days
• Imanol: 23 years, 10 months and 8 days
• Lafuente: 23 years, 11 months and 21 days
• Agirreoa: 24 years, 4 months and 21 days
• Patxi Iru: 24 years, 8 months and 2 days
• Jokin Ezkieta: 24 years, 9 months and 5 days
• Marro: 24 years, 11 months and 12 days
• Iago Herrerín: 25 years, 6 months and 25 days
• Gorka Iraizoz: 26 years, 6 months and 20 days
• Biurrun: 26 years, 11 months and 29 days
• Armando: 37 years and 16 days

*In 1984-85, due to the strike called by the Association of Spanish Footballers, Youth team’s Javier Alonso played one match in LaLiga. It was on Matchday 2 against Sevilla FC. The goalkeeper made his debut at the age of 18 years, 10 months and 2 days old, making him the youngest ever Athletic keeper to play in a league match.