Eneko Bóveda named new Lezama academy director

Eneko Bóveda has replaced the outgoing Sergio Navarro as the new director of Lezama Academy.

The Durango native has dedicated half his life to Athletic Club between his youth career, senior career and three years working in the football operations department.

He has initially signed a one-season deal in his new role, taking over the responsibility of managing the men's and women's youth teams.

Bóveda, 36, studied engineering in Bilbao and is also a qualified football coach. Apart from that, since August 2023, he has played a key role in recruitment for the senior side and under-23 players, in addition to working closely with Bilbao Athletic.

A man with a Lezama stamp who started his adventure in the youth ranks after joining from Maiztegi Herri Eskola (Iurreta), Bóveda worked his way up through the ranks until making his debut as a Lion in the 2008/09 season under Joaquín Caparrós. His departure to SD Eibar in the 2011/12 campaign, where the defender performed at a high level for four seasons, earned him a move back to Athletic Club.

Upon his return he won the 2015 Super Cup - the only trophy of his playing career - under Ernesto Valverde, playing in both matches against FC Barcelona.

He ended his time as a Lion with 71 appearances before joining RC Deportivo, where he spent three and a half seasons. He finished his career with Cypriot club Olympiakos Nicosia FC and, as soon as he hung up his boots, he returned to Lezama.