Since being promoted to the Athletic first team in 2016 Yeray has established himself as one of the best center-backs in La Liga. Formed at Lezama from the age of 12, the defender stands out for his leadership, positioning, passing, and flawless tackling. At 24 years old Yeray is the present and future of Athletic and, going into the summer, the club made it a priority to improve the player’s contract.

The two sides have been in renewal talks for a few weeks now with Athletic looking to increase Yeray’s wages and release clause. Clubs such as Atlético Madrid were said to be willing to pay the defender’s €30 million clause, but in the end Yeray chose to stay at his boyhood club and put pen to paper on a new deal. On Thursday the club officially announced that Yeray has signed a renewal through 2026 that will raise his wages and increase his release clause to €70 million.

To celebrate the renewal, Athletic released a special video where Yeray discussed what it means to continue at San Mamés. “My heart has been red and white since I was born”, said the defender. “The doors of Lezama opened up to me in 2008. I was 13 years old and everything was new to me. The road with Athletic has made me the player I am today, climbing the steps from Infatil to the first team. We have lived very good times, San Mamés, my teammates, our fans…they are incredible. The most important part of any trip is who you take it with. Since I was a child my adventure has always been with the Athletic shirt and it will be for many more years.”

Yeray now holds the longest contract in the squad and the fifth-highest release clause behind Yuri Berchiche (€100 million), Iñaki Williams (€88 million), Iñigo Martinez (€80 million), and Kenan Kodro (€80 million). Now that the 24-year-old has pledged his future to San Mamés, the club will give their full attention to ongoing renewal talks with Raúl García and Unai Nuñez.

🗣 Lo más importante de un viaje es con quién lo haces. Desde niño, con la camiseta del Athletic

…

y por muchos años más. 🔗 https://t.co/IpbCcVfrR3 #BetiZurigorri #Yeray2026 🔴⚪🦁 pic.twitter.com/ZixH3kLGTl — Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) July 18, 2019

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