The new Lezama residence, a dream come true

This Thursday, Athletic Club achieved its objective of setting up a specially-designed residence to house youth-team footballers at Lezama.

After almost 25 years of accommodating young players from outside Biscay in a residence in Derio, 18 academy players (13 male and five female) have now moved into their new rooms at the red and white factory. Among the first residents is Nico Serrano, the latest academy product to make a senior debut.

The residence at Lezama will meet the different needs required by our young athletes, such as having the ability to rest, study, organise their belongings, relax and disconnect after training. Flexible and customisable furniture has been used in all thirty rooms.

The Club will maintain the current system for the youngest ones, who go in pairs to live with local families.

Athletic Club president Aitor Elizegi, accompanied by vice-president Mikel Martínez and director Jorge Gómez, were in attendance for this historic moment. Other stars were also there for the occasion, including: club legend Jose Angel Iribar, Carlos Gurpegui, one of the first players to stay in Derio when he arrived from Izarra, and Athletic Club Women striker Nekane Díez, who also lived in the residence when she signed from Mariño. Lezama’s two sporting directors and those responsible for building the new centre were also present at the opening.