ATHLETIC NEWS

Julen Agirrezabala - Trains Tuesday Agirrezabala (back) returned to training Tuesday, according to the club.

Impact Agirrezabala picked up a back issue during the pre-season, having gone down with a fracture in mid-July. However, he is now back in training, as he was shown working with a ball Tuesday. This is great news for the club, but with the season only one week away, he is still likely to miss their opening match.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Hugo Rincon Lumbreras - Renews contract Rincon has renewed his contract with Sevilla until 2028, the club announced.

Impact Rincon will not be leaving Athletic anytime soon, with the defender having extended his stay until 2028. He has yet to see any time for the first time, so he will hope this contract extension earns him more playing time. Either way, this should guarantee time in the future, with his extension implying he is in future plans.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta - Sidelined during training Galarreta was left on the sideline at training Friday, according to El Chiringuito TV.

Impact Galarreta had no prior notice of an injury but after being left out of training Friday, it appears he is dealing with an undisclosed issue. This will be something to monitor heading into the new season, as opening day is only two weeks away. He is a regular starter, starting in 25 of his 29 appearances last campaign, so the club will hope for him to reach full fitness ahead of the new campaign.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Mikel Vesga - Returns to group training Vesga (thigh) was included in team training Friday, according to El Chiringuito TV.

Impact Vesga picked up an injury in his thigh around two weeks ago during a friendly. However, he appears to be recovering well, as he was involved in group training. This is great news for the midfielder, leaving him a decent spot to be fit for the start of the season, likely having his injury tag cleared if he competes in a friendly.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Revealed: What Barcelona are blaming for failed Nico Williams transfer pursuit with Spain star set to stay at Athletic Club | Goal.com US Barcelona could miss out on signing Nico Williams from Athletic Club as they identify Dani Olmo as an alternative.

JULY 30 • GOAL.COM

Nico Williams, Ivan Toney & 10 big stars still set to move in the final month of the summer transfer window | Goal.com US Ten star players who are still set to move in the final month of the summer transfer window, including Nico Williams and Ivan Toney

JULY 30 • GOAL.COM

Unai Simon - Surgery successful Simon (wrist) has completed his surgery and will now start his rehabilitation process, according to Guillermo Rai of The Athletic.

Impact Simon has undergone the surgery he was set to receive following his time at Euro 2024, with the procedure having been successful and the goalie is now discharged from the hospital. He is expected to miss around four months with the problem, with a return set for mid-November to mid-December. With fellow keeper Julen Agirrezabala also out due to injury, expect 20-year-old Alex Padilla to get the start in net opening day.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Iran, women and the ongoing struggle for football 'freedom' Women may now be visible at some matches in Iran but major restrictions remain and the battle for equality continues

JULY 29 • NYTIMES.COM

Bellingham, Messi and the perils of burnout, incessant football and playing through injury Matches, thousands of them — why FIFA are being accused of presiding over an international calendar that is “beyond saturation”

JULY 28 • NYTIMES.COM

Nico Serrano - Working with ball Serrano (shoulder) was back on the grass Thursday while working on ball work for the first time since his surgey.

Impact Serrano spent last season on loan to PEC Zwolle and Racing de Ferrol, ending the campaign out with shoulder injury. He is back with Athletic Club as he work on a return to the pitch. The midfielder has not played with the team since 2021/22, making three starts in 14 appearances in La Liga play.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Arsenal's Africa-inspired away kit tells the story of their unique connection to Black culture The Athletic speaks to the designer behind an Arsenal kit that pays homage to the club's players and fans shaped by the African diaspora

JULY 24 • NYTIMES.COM

Oihan Sancet - Returns, as expected Sancet (hamstring) started and played 45 minutes during Wednesday's friendly with Racing Club.

Impact Sancet ended the season with a hamstring injury but got back on the pitch to open pre-season, as expected. The midfielder will be a major part of the first team if he can stay fit after appearing 30 times last season. He scored four times and produced a career-high five assists despite playing just under 2,000 minutes.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Gorka Guruzeta - Starts friendly Guruzeta (abdomen) played 45 minutes during Wednesday's friendly with Racing Club.

Impact Guruzeta was active for the first half of Wednesday's friendly after finishing the season on the sideline with an abdominal injury. The striker is over his injury and will now be looking to build on his brilliant campaign where he scored 14 goals and added five assists in 32 appearances (30 starts.)

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - Scores in friendly Williams (foot) scored during Wednesday's friendly win over Racing Club.

Impact Williams had a minor surgery to remove a piece of glass from his foot and has now returned to full action in pre-season. The attacker should be fully fit and available for the start of the season, and he should be in line for a major role once more. Williams scored 12 goals and assisted three more in 34 appearances last season.

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Five years of the 'new' goal-kick law - this is how it has transformed football A subtle tweak to how teams can restart games has led to some fascinating tactical innovations since 2019

JULY 22 • NYTIMES.COM

Mikel Vesga - Dealing with thigh issue Vesga suffered a muscle injury in his thigh during their friendly against Burgos, according to his club.

Impact Vesga could be starting the campaign on the injury list, with the midfielder having gone down in pre-season play with a thigh problem. He served in a solid role in the past campaign, starting in 18 of his 27 appearances while notching three goals and one assist. That said, they will hope for a quick recovery and for him to miss time, looking to have him available for their season opener against Getafe on Aug. 15.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Nets opener Williams scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal), 10 crosses (two accurate) and six corners in Sunday's 2-1 win versus England.

Impact Williams was left wide open at the back post in the opening moments of the second half and found the back of the net. The winger was incredible throughout the tournament and showed exactly why he's been linked to Barcelona in a massive move. It's unclear if Williams will complete that move or if he will return to Athletic Club, but he should be one of the best wingers in La Liga either way.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Julen Agirrezabala - Fractures back Agirrezabala has suffered a fracture to his lower back and is set to miss the next few months.

Impact Agirrezabala is set to miss the opening matches of the new season after fracturing his back during preseason. He was only used as a back up option for Unai Simon, making just two starts in four appearances in 2023/24. making eight saves while allowing four goals.

JULY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Wins Euro Cup, set for surgery Simon had two saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 2-1 win against England. He will also undergo wrist surgery following the conclusion of the Euro trophy celebrations.

Impact Simon had a solid tournament with Spain that saw him allow four goals in six appearances, making 15 saves while keeping two clean sheets to win his first ever trophy with Spain. However, the keeper was playing with a wrist injury, which will result in surgery. This leaves his status for the upcoming season in jeopardy, though is likely to use the first few weeks of preseason to rest following his participation at the Euros.

JULY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Whips in six crosses Williams recorded six crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Tuesday's 2-1 victory versus France.

Impact Williams had a solid match Tuesday as Spain advanced to the finals, notching a team-leading six crosses in the win. This gave the attacker his third straight start, now having started in five of their six matches. He should continue in that role moving into the final, in search of his thrid goal contribution.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Concedes once against France Simon recorded two saves and allowed one goal in Tuesday's 2-1 win over France.

Impact Simon wasn't the greatest in Tuesday's match but still came out with the win, stopping two shots while allowing one goal against France. He has now gone without a clean sheet in his past three matches after registering two in the team's first two games. He will look to hold stronger when facing England in the final on Sunday.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Inaki Williams - On grass for preseason training Williams is back on the grass following foot surgery to remove a piece of glass from his foot, per Listowel Mensah of Angel TV.

Impact Williams underwent minor foot surgery over the offseason, but it isn't anything that will keep him out long term as he was able to report to preseason training with Athletic Club. He had a solid season with the team with 12 goals scored, assisting three times while averaging about 2.7 shots and 3.2 crosses per game.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Berenguer - Extends until 2027 Berenguer has extended his contract with Athletic until 2027, according to his club.

Impact Berenguer is continuing his time with Athletic, as the attacker has re-signed with the club to remain with them for three more seasons. He served in more of a rotational role in the past season, starting in 15 of his 35 appearances while notching seven goals on 32 shots and three assists on 33 chances created. He is probably going to hold a similar role throughout the remainder of his new contract, likely to see starting time here and there but mainly serving from the bench.

JULY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Simon - Excellent for win Simon had five saves and allowed one goal in Friday's 2-1 victory against Germany. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 82nd minute.

Impact Simon stopped five of the six shots he faced during Friday's win, including a late onslaught in extra time. The goalkeeper remains the top option in the starting XI and should be in net heading into the semi final. Simon has been one of the top goalkeepers at Euro 2024, and the excellent defensive unit in front of him has been a huge part of that.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Nico Williams - Scores, assists in win Nico Williams scored one goal and assisted once from five shots and four chances created in Sunday's 4-1 win against Georgia.

Impact Williams notched his first goal of the tournament on a spectacular play that extended the lead for Spain in the 75th minute. Additionally, he registered an assist as he helped equalize the contest in the first half.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE