MADRID, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Newly promoted Racing Santander has agreed to sign goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala from Athletic Club on a five-year contract, the club announced Monday.
The 25-year-old former Spain under-21 international joins Racing after making 18 appearances on loan at Valencia last season before a knee injury ended his campaign prematurely.
Agirrezabala will compete with Simon Eriksson for the starting goalkeeper role as Racing prepares for its return to La Liga.
Agirrezabala made 65 appearances for Athletic and was the club's hero in the 2024 Copa del Rey final victory over Mallorca, saving two penalties in the shootout to help Athletic win its first major trophy in 40 years. He also featured during Athletic's run to the semifinals of the 2024-25 Europa League.
Agirrezabala was primarily a backup to Spain international Unai Simon, becoming Athletic's regular La Liga starter only when Simon missed the start of the 2024-25 season following wrist surgery.
He reunites at Racing with former Athletic teammates Inigo Vicente and Asier Villalibre. The club's priority after promotion will be avoiding an immediate return to the second tier. ■
