Athletic Club debuts in 2021

Five players have made Athletic Club first-team debuts over the course of 2021. This handful of footballers have joined the illustrious list of those who have worn the red-and-white stripes at least once. Below, we look back at each of this year’s debutants and their special moment.

Nico Williams was the first to make his debut, doing so on April 28, in the LaLiga 2020/21 Matchday 33 clash against Real Vallodolid at San Mamés. The winger came on as a substitute and played in the last half-hour of the fixture. Nico has now made 21 appearances, the most recent of which have been as a starter.

The rest of the debuts have come during the current campaign. On August 16, goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala and centre-back Dani Vivian started in Athletic 2021/22 season opener, against Elche CF and the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. The duo played a starring role as the Lions kept a clean sheet. The shotstopper has made four appearances between the sticks so far, while the defender, whose season has been disrupted by injury, has played nine matches.

The following month, on September 11, forward Nico Serrano made his first appearance, during Athletic’s 2-0 home win over RCD Mallorca at The Cathedral. Nico came on as a 83rd-minute substitute for Iñaki Williams on the day the no.9 reached 300 appearances with Athletic. So far, Serrano has competed in four top-flight fixtures.

Last but not least, on October 31, full-back Alex Petxarroman got his first minutes during the Basque Derby at the Reale Arena against his former club, Real Sociedad. The right-back, who joined Athletic on a free transfer in the summer, replaced Óscar de Marcos in the 1-1 draw.