Centre-back Iñigo Martinez is the leader of our defence. He arrived at Athletic Club during the 2018 winter transfer window for a club-record fee, and since then his whole-hearted defensive performances have seen him become a San Mamés idol. 

The Ondarroa native was signed by Athletic to replace the departing Aymeric Laporte. Iñigo is very talented with the ball at his feet. Quite often the left-footed central defender will play precise long-balls from the back in order to launch stinging counter-attacks. But most importantly, he’s a defender at heart. He reads the game well, organises the players around him and never shirks a challenge. 

Iñigo rarely misses a match and since joining Athletic Club he’s already racked up 159 official appearances. He loves to pop up with a bullet header from corners, but his first goal for Athletic was a back-heel strike in a 1-0 win against Real Betis on June 20, 2020. 

What’s more, consistent and effective showings for Athletic have seen him regularly turnout for the Spanish national team squad and, barring any setback, he should feature at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.