Iribar: Athletic Club’s eternal legend

Jose Angel Iribar (Zarautz, 1943), known as ‘El Txopo’, is one of Athletic Club’s greatest legends, the people’s goalkeeper.

He arrived to Bilbao from Basconia in 1962 and stood between the San Mames sticks for 18 seasons, until 1979.

Iribar played 614 official matches, becoming the player with the most appearances in the Athletic Club history. His height, reflexes, composure and his distinctive black kit made him a San Mamés icon.

 

 

He won two Copas, in 1969 and 1973, and was awarded the 1969/70 Zamora Trophy.

Jose Angel also played a starring role in the Copa final we lost 1966, being carried off the pitch on the shoulders of the Rojiblancos fans to chants of “Iribar, Iribar, Iribar is brilliant… there’s no one like Iribar” following an outstanding performance.

He was also a stalwart throughout the historic 1976/77 season, in which Athletic reached the finals of both the Copa and the UEFA Cup. Added to that, he won the 1964 European Championship with the Spanish national team. 

El Txopo played three matches for the Basque national team, captaining the side against and League of Ireland XI at San Mamés on 16 August 1979.

His commitment to Basque identity and culture was reflected in his defence of the Basque language. One of the most iconic moments of his career took place on 5 December 1976, when, alongside Real Sociedad captain Inaxio Kortabarria, he carried an Ikurriña (Basque flag), which was still illegal at the time, onto the pitch at Atotxa before the Basque Derby.

That act became a historic symbol of the assertion of Basque identity.

After retiring in 1979, Iribar remained associated with Athletic as a coach and currently serves as the club’s ambassador. In December 2023, a statue in his likeness was unveiled outside San Mamés. It's recognition of a figure who remains an idol for generations of supporters and an eternal Athletic Club legend.