Our Youth Academy

Distributed over a 13-hectare complex, Lezama has four standard-sized grass pitches (including a small stadium with of maximum capacity of 3,200), four artificial turf pitches, an indoor pitch (also artificial), gyms, a medical centre and storerooms. In addition to the eight pitches, there is a “goalkeepers’ cage” and an artificial pitch made specially for coaching goalkeepers. On top of all that, visitors have access to underground and above-ground parking facilities and a bar.

In September 2021, Athletic Club fulfilled its dream of building a residence at Lezama for its youth footballers. For the previous quarter of a century, young players from outside of Biscay were housed in a separate residence in the nearby town of Derio.

The residence contains 30 double rooms which meet the different needs of the athletes, such as being able to rest, study, organise their belongings and disconnect after training. To this end, flexible and customisable furniture has been used so each player can make the space their own.

Aside from the physical infrastructure, the human factor at Lezama must also be taken into account. Athletic Club counts on a vast array of talented individuals to ensure our young players are given an all-round education which prepares them not only for the elite level of football but for life in general. This includes coaches, fitness coaches, medical staff, support staff and education experts.

The work carried out with the teams at Lezama is unique and the coaches share the same vision. The player is key to everything, they are the cornerstone of all planning, and it is only by playing football that they will properly master key concepts.

The goal is to create an environment in which young players thrive on a personal and sporting level. We endeavour to produce players and humans who can represent our Club, and all its values, both on and off the pitch.

The idea of Lezama goes beyond the concrete structures of the training complex. Athletic also oversees the work of numerous clubs that are part of the Athletic Club structure. Across the Basque Country, the Club has several high-quality development centres where the boys and girls who stand out in those teams receive expert coaching.