Athletic Club Midfielders 2024/25

Athletic Club midfielders lineup is crucial to its tactical approach. In the 2024/25 season, the club’s midfield crew is a mixture of experienced veterans and talented newcomers all with exceptional abilities and skills to dictate play, break up opposition attacks, while also providing crucial support to both defense and attack. That said, here is a round up of the club’s midfielders this season.

1. Iker Muniain (Captain)

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 31 (Born: December 19, 1992)
  • Transfer Fee: N/A (Youth Academy Graduate)
  • Former Clubs: Athletic Club (Youth Academy)

Iker Muniain is one of the most iconic figures in Athletic Club midfielders crew’s history. Having come through the club’s famed youth academy, Lezama, Muniain has spent his entire career in Bilbao, earning the respect of fans and teammates alike. As captain, he brings leadership, creativity, and a wealth of experience to the midfield.

Known for his exceptional dribbling, vision, and technique, Muniain can dictate the tempo of a match and deliver crucial assists. Over the years, he’s racked up numerous appearances for the club, becoming a fan favorite. His versatility allows him to play in various attacking roles, but he most often operates as an attacking midfielder or winger. Despite his small stature, Iker’s agility and low center of gravity make him a nightmare for defenders. With a career spanning over a decade, Muniain is the heartbeat of the team. His contributions go beyond just technical skills; his leadership on and off the field is integral to Athletic’s identity.

2. Unai Vencedor

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 24 (Born: January 9, 2000)
  • Transfer Fee: €4.5 million (2020)
  • Former Clubs: Athletic Club (Youth Academy)

Unai Vencedor is one of the rising stars of the current squad. A product of Athletic Club’s famed youth system, Vencedor’s emergence as a first-team regular has been a testament to the club’s focus on developing homegrown talent. As a defensive midfielder, Vencedor is known for his intelligent positioning and excellent passing range. His calmness under pressure allows him to control the tempo of games, making him an essential component of the midfield.

His strengths lie in his ability to read the game and break up opposition attacks. He has a great understanding of space and is not afraid to put in the hard work to win the ball back for his team. While not necessarily known for his flair or dribbling, his work ethic and tactical awareness make him a crucial asset for the team. Vencedor’s maturity for his age and his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively make him one of the most exciting midfielders to watch at Athletic Club.

3. Oihan Sancet

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 23 (Born: January 25, 2002)
  • Transfer Fee: €9 million (2022)
  • Former Clubs: Athletic Club (Youth Academy)

Oihan Sancet is another exciting young talent who has been making waves in the midfield for Athletic Club. Known for his incredible work rate and tactical awareness, Sancet has quickly become one of the key players in Ernesto Valverde’s system. His ability to break into the box and score goals from midfield makes him a dangerous threat, while his all-around game ensures he contributes both defensively and offensively.

What sets Sancet apart is his versatility. He is capable of playing as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder, making him a valuable asset in various situations. He’s also excellent at pressing high up the pitch, disrupting the opposition’s build-up play.

Sancet’s performances in recent seasons have caught the eye of several top clubs across Europe, but for now, he remains a key figure for Athletic Club midfielders crew. His youthful energy, combined with his technical ability, will be crucial for the team’s aspirations in the upcoming season.

4. Dani García

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 34 (Born: May 4, 1990)
  • Transfer Fee: €2 million (2019)
  • Former Clubs: Eibar, Real Sociedad (Youth), Real Madrid (Youth)

Dani García is a veteran midfielder with vast experience in La Liga, having previously played for Eibar before joining Athletic Club midfielders lineup in 2019. A tough, physical presence in the middle of the park, García excels in breaking up opposition attacks and providing stability to the midfield. His leadership and ability to disrupt the flow of the opposition make him a valuable asset in more defensive setups.

While not known for his technical flair or offensive contributions, García’s work ethic and tactical discipline are essential to Athletic’s midfield balance. His ability to read the game and put in tackles makes him an ideal partner for more creative midfielders like Sancet or Muniain.

García’s experience and maturity bring a sense of composure to the midfield, and his performances are always reliable. As he enters the latter stages of his career, his role may shift to more of a backup position, but he remains an important figure in the squad.

5. Mikel Vesga

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 29 (Born: January 13, 1995)
  • Transfer Fee: €3 million (2018)
  • Former Clubs: Alavés (Loan), CD Numancia (Loan), Athletic Club (Youth Academy)

Mikel Vesga is a consistent presence in the middle of the park for Athletic Club midfielders roster. Another product of the club’s youth academy, Vesga is a versatile midfielder who can play both as a defensive midfielder and as a central midfielder. While he doesn’t possess the flair of some of his teammates, Vesga’s strengths lie in his solid passing range, tactical discipline, and leadership on the pitch.

Vesga is often relied upon for his ability to break up the opposition’s attacking moves and link up play from the back to the forwards. His experience playing on loan at clubs like Alavés and Numancia has helped him become a more well-rounded player, capable of adapting to different styles of play.

While not always the standout player, Vesga is an important cog in the midfield machine. His ability to keep things simple and break up counter-attacks allows the more attacking players to flourish. He brings a sense of balance and calmness to the team, ensuring that the defensive side of things is never neglected.

6. Ander Herrera

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 34 (Born: August 14, 1989)
  • Transfer Fee: €11 million (2014)
  • Former Clubs: Manchester United, PSG, Real Zaragoza (Youth Academy)

Ander Herrera returned to Athletic Club midfielders lineup in 2023 after a successful stint abroad with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. A dynamic and skillful midfielder, Herrera brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having played at the highest levels of European football. His ability to link play, control the midfield, and add creativity makes him a key figure for the team.

Herrera is known for his tenacity and ability to press high up the pitch, as well as his smart passing range. He offers a perfect balance between defensive responsibility and offensive contribution. Whether it’s breaking up the opposition’s attack or making driving runs into the box, Herrera’s versatility ensures that he can adapt to any situation.

His return to Athletic has been met with excitement, as Herrera’s leadership qualities and technical ability will be invaluable to the squad in the upcoming season. His experience in top-tier football will provide the perfect mentorship for the younger players like Vencedor and Sancet.

7. Benat Etxebarria (Loan Return)

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 25 (Born: December 18, 1999)
  • Transfer Fee: Loan (2024)
  • Former Clubs: Sporting Gijón (Loan), Athletic Club (Youth Academy)

Benat Etxebarria has returned to Athletic Club midfielders setup after a successful loan spell at Sporting Gijón. A player with excellent technique and vision, Etxebarria is a deep-lying midfielder capable of dictating play from the back. His ball retention skills are top-notch, and he has an excellent eye for a long pass, making him a key distributor in the team.

While he hasn’t yet fully broken into the starting XI at Athletic, his potential is undeniable. The upcoming season will likely see him fighting for a starting role, as his passing and distribution qualities could provide something different in the midfield.

Etxebarria’s return to the squad adds depth and variety to the midfield, offering a more composed and technical alternative to some of the more physically oriented players.

As we head into the 2024/25 season, Athletic Club’s midfield remains one of the most balanced in La Liga. With a mixture of experience and youthful energy, the midfield unit is in safe hands. Players like Muniain and Dani García bring leadership and experience, while Vencedor, Sancet, and Herrera add flair, creativity, and technical skill. Each of these midfielders has a specific role to play in Valverde’s tactical setup, whether it’s breaking up opposition attacks, providing defensive cover, or orchestrating play from the center of the park. With such a deep and varied midfield, Athletic Club looks poised to compete at the highest level once again.