Padilla and Gorosabel make official Athletic Club debuts
Padilla and Gorosabel make official Athletic Club debuts
Ernesto Valverde handed the young goalkeeper his first official Athletic appearance in Thursday's LaLiga opener against Getafe CF
Athletic Club goalkeeper Alex Padilla became the 641st Lion to make a senior debut after lining up against Getafe CF in the LaLiga 2024/25 curtain raiser at San Mames on Thursday evening.
Right-back Andoni Gorosabel also made his Athletic debut. He has previously played in LaLiga with Deportivo Alavés and Real Sociedad.
The 20-year-old shotstopper, born in Gipuzkoa to a Basque father and Mexican mother, has been capped at under-23 level by Mexico. Alex expressed his gratitude to the club and Ernesto Valverde after his debut.
"I'm proud of myself," the goalkeeper said. "I've been working for a long time, I've gone through some very difficult times and in the end life has given me this opportunity and I have to enjoy it to the full.
"I'm very grateful to the club, to Ernesto and to my teammates, who have made me feel like one of them from the very first moment. It was incredible to make my debut at San Mamés, I'm very grateful and I'll keep working hard."
