Garazi retires from football at Athletic Club

Centre-back Garazi Murua has decided to hang up her boots after 10 seasons in the top flight and 178 appearances in her beloved red and white stripes.

Garazi is calling it a day at 29 years old. One of the last league champions, a defender and a penalty kick specialist, with eight goals to her name, Murua will be remembered for her dedication and loyalty.

The Getxo native first started playing football at school before joining feeder side Bizkerre FT and then Athletic Club Women B at 15 years old. Before making it to the first team, she spent five months at East Tennessee University in the United States, a country she already knew as she'd lived in Nevada during her childhood.

Her senior debut came in the 2014/15 campaign at the hand of then coach Juanlu Fuentes, with the Lionesses beating UD Collerense 6-0.

Athletic won the league title the following season. Garazi a solid presence at the back, starting every match, initially alongside Irene Paredes and then Vanesa Gimbert.

After that Garazi was a fierce and aggressive player in every clash until a herniated disc stopped the defender in her tracks and forced her to undergo surgery in March 2023.

Garazi wore the armband for many years. Her charisma was as evident off the pitch too and she faithfully represented her values by participating in many AC Foundation activities.

With a degree in law and economics, Garazi says goodbye to football as a young veteran and leaves a place for a future Lezama star to fill. It was in the academy where she began to feel like a proper footballer and experienced the same conditions that girls and women enjoy today. 

On Sunday June 16 at 17:00 CEST at San Mames, where Murua has scored and played Champions League football, Athleticzales will have an opportunity to bid farewell to an iconic player.

Athletic Club would like to thank Garazi for her devotion and professionalism while wishing her all the best of luck in this next chapter of her life.