Lekue retires as a One Club Man

Iñigo Lekue is retiring from professional football as a true Athletic ‘One Club Man’, after eleven seasons with the club of his life. This decision was taken by the player, who was born in the Deusto neighbourhood, after the Club’s management informed him that they would not be renewing the contract between the two parties.

A product of the Club’s youth system, having trained at Danok Bat before moving to Basconia and Bilbao Athletic – with whom he was promoted to the Second Division – he has stood out throughout his career for his versatility and commitment, always putting the team first. 

With three matchdays remaining in LaLiga, Lekue has worn the red-and-white shirt in 281 official matches, winning three titles: the 2023/24 Copa and the Supercopa of the 2014/15 and 2019/20 seasons.

A key figure in Athletic Club’s titles this century

On all three occasions – the Club’s only three titles this century – he featured in the decisive matches.

Indeed, Lekue made his debut at the age of 22 under Valverde in the unforgettable 4-0 first-leg victory in the 2015 Supercopa final against FC Barcelona. Once the player retires, only Laporte and Iñaki Williams will remain from that season’s squad. 

In the 2021 Supercopa, Marcelino selected him for both matches: the 2-1 semi-final victory over Real Madrid and the unforgettable 3-2 extra-time triumph in the final against FC Barcelona. He also played the second half of extra time in the 2024 Copa final against Real Mallorca.

 

A versatile footballer

Rather than excelling in any one particular area, it is the combination of his various qualities that has made his greatest strength possible: his versatility.

Lekue is a dynamic, fast, direct player, capable of contributing both defensively and offensively, and able to adapt to any position, whether in defence or attack, and on either flank. 

This versatility has made him a highly valuable player for managers, who have relied on him more or less constantly, both as a starter (188 matches to date) and as a substitute (on 93 occasions), averaging around 25 appearances per season across his eleven-year career. 

Always there in the background

It is very easy to recognise Iñigo Lekue in the words spoken by De Marcos at his farewell, when he explained what it meant to the Laguardia legend to be part of Athletic: 

“It is the tip of a massive iceberg, where the greatest part… is precisely what cannot be seen."

Loyalty… faithfulness… camaraderie… Always putting yourself at the service of the team, walking together, side by side, without fanfare.
Respect, giving before asking, keeping quiet when necessary, and fighting until your last breath… and carrying on.”

All this is Athletic, and all this has been Iñigo Lekue at Athletic, both on and off the pitch – a vital player in the background who, precisely for that reason, deserves to leave through the front door, even if he doesn’t ask for it and it might even make him uncomfortable.