Aiora Renteria named 125 ambassador for November

Bilbao singer Aiora Renteria has been named Athletic Club ambassador for November. Lead singer of popular Basque group Zea Mays, Renteria is an avid Athletic fan.

She sang in front of large Athleticzales crowds in 2012 at San Mamés and in the 2015 'Athletic Hiria' in Barcelona, both occasions coming before Copa finals. What's more she lent her voice to the song 'Legoiak', a tribute to Athletic Club Women.

A state school music teacher, Renteria formed Zea Mays in 1997. The band gained public recognition almost immediately, winning the prize for the best demo in a competition organised by the radio station Euskadi Gaztea. Since then, they have performed hundreds of times on different stages, both in the Basque Country and around the world.

With a total of 11 albums, Aiora Renteria's voice has featured in some of the best-known songs for lovers of the Basque music scene, such as "Itsasoa", "Elektrizitatea", "Besterik ez naiz" and 'Negua joan da ta'. The last of these is one of the most listened to Basque melodies of the last decade, and its video features a fantastic nod to sign language.

Womb cancer had kept the Bilbao artist away from the stage since 2021, but after successful treatment the singer has released a new album called 'Adore Kemena Kuraia'.

Athletic president Jon Uriarte and club legend Jose Angel Iribar will present Aiora with her commemorative badge this Friday at San Mames during our match against RC Celta.

During 2023 Aiora Renteria and Zea Mays have also received the Adarra Saria, an award given annually by the Donostia City Council, one of the most prestigious accolades on the Basque music scene.

The singer is our 11th 125 anniversary ambassador, joining the likes of Jon Rahm, Jokin Altuna, Honey Tahljieh, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Marino Lejarreta and Joane Somarriba -representing the Basque cycling - María Arthuer, Juan Villoro, Txus Vidorreta, Julián López and Itziar Ituño.