RAUL GARCIA NEWS

Scores opener in win Garcia scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Sevilla.

Impact Garcia got a rare start and achieved one last goal in front of the Bilbao fans through a 17th-minute header during the victory. After announcing his retirement at the end of the 2023/24 season, the versatile forward is leaving a tally of 110 goals in 608 Spanish first-division appearances.

MAY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Plans for retirement Garcia announced Monday that he will retire from professional football following the conclusion of the season.

Impact Garcia is set to hang up the boots this season, ending a great career that saw him become a club legend at Athletic while also serving with Atletico Madrid and Osasuna during his 20 seasons of play. He currently has the third-highest amount of games played in Spanish football history, serving in 602 matches while notching 109 goals. However, his numbers are even wilder when looking at his career as a whole, notching 811 contests played and scoring 148 goals. He will end his career on a very high note, as just over a week ago, he claimed his first Copa del Rey with the club.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Friday Garcia (back) is on the bench for Friday's match against Celta.

Impact Garcia is back in the squad for Athletic on Friday, ending a four-match absence due to a back injury. The attacker is only on the bench for the match and will most likely stay in that position, as he is yet to earn a start this season, only registering 56 minutes on the season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Traveling Friday Garcia (back) is in the traveling squad for Friday's clash with Celta Vigo.

Impact Garcia is traveling for Friday's clash despite suffering a back injury in training. The forward has been on the bench more often than not this season, going unused six times and appearing just four times. Still he will be a depth option Friday even if he isn't likely to see any minutes.

NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up back injury Garcia was not available on Saturday against Villarreal due to a back-lumbar contusion he picked up midweek.

Impact Garcia did not participate in Athletic's game this weekend due to a back injury. This is an unfortunate break for the midfielder, as he just returned to the bench one match ago after missing some time with an illness. He is still waiting on further testing and may be in jeopardy of missing more than just one game. He most likely won't suit up for their next match against Celta but could return after the international break against Girona.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes bench Garcia (illness) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Barcelona.

Impact Garcia has only played in 56 minutes this season within four appearances off the bench. Since being used as mostly a substitute last season, there will likely be no change to his role for the remainder of the campaign.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Garcia is under the weather and won't be available against Almeria on Friday.

Impact Garcia wasn't going to start for the club so his absence likely impacted few fantasy players. All four of the forward's appearances this season have come off the bench, a role he figures to remain in once La Liga resumes following the international break.

OCTOBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Only six starts Garcia made 35 appearances but only six starts during thee 2022-23 La Liga season.

Impact Garcia has made appearances in over 30 matches across his past eight seasons with Athletic Club. The forward saw his starting role largely disappear though, as he made just six starts totaling 946 minutes. The forward scored twice and assisted three times whiel creating eight chances and sending in 52 shots. Garcia will likely be behind Gorka Guruzeta heading into the 2023-24 season.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes four shots off bench Garcia subbed into Sunday's match against Elche in the 60th minute, taking four shots (three on target) and creating a chance in the 1-0 defeat.

Impact Garcia posted his third game with at least four shots taken since the start of May, and two of those games have seen him enter as a second half substitute.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fires six shots Garcia took six shots (three on goal) during Monday's 1-1 draw with Mallorca.

Impact Garcia was held off the scoresheet despite leading Athletic Club with six shots on Monday. The midfielder remains on five goal involvements through his 30 appearances.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench to pick up assist Garcia picked up an assist in Saturday's 2-0 win against Real Sociedad.

Impact Garcia's excellent long-range pass set up Inaki Williams' second goal and bagged him his third assist of the season. At 36 years of age, Garcia will likely only be used as an impact player in the latter stages of games when the opponents are tiring.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for Copa de Rey match Garcia (collarbone) is an option off the bench for Wednesday's Copa de Rey match versus Osasuna.

Impact Garcia picked up an injury during Sunday's 3-2 loss to Girona, but has recovered and is an option as a substitute Wednesday. With his goal last match, the midfielder should be utilized more off the bench, but is still far behind in the depth chart to be considered a starter.

MARCH 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not training Garcia (shoulder) missed training Tuesday, manager Erenesto Valverde reported.

Impact Garcia missed training Tuesday as he continues to struggle with a shoulder issue. The forward remains a depth option more often than not, though his goal off the bench against Girona could see him earn more playing time if he's able to return before a Sunday trip to Rayo.

FEBRUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal, suffers injury in loss Garcia subbed into Sunday's match against Girona at halftime, taking five shots and scoring a goal in the 3-2 defeat. He also suffered a collarbone strain, Athletic Club announced...

Impact Garcia has mostly been a somewhat inaffective impact substitute this season for Bilbao, as prior to Sunday he had tallied 19 shots (three on target) and one goal across his 17 La Liga appearances off the bench (286 minutes of play). He scored his second goal of the season overall in the defeat to Girona, but he also picked up an injury.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists against Cadiz Garcia assisted once to go with three shots (zero on target) in Friday's 4-1 victory against Cadiz.

Impact Garcia got his first start in six matches and landed on the score sheet with an assist to help put Athletic back in the lead on Friday. He has struggled to get time on the pitch with Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams getting most of the playing time up top. The 37-year-old has totaled a goal, two assists and 19 shots (four on target) in the last 11 games.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sancet hat trick leads 10-man Bilbao to 4-1 win over Cadiz

Oihan Sancet has scored his second career hat trick to lead 10-man Athletic Bilbao to a 4-1 victory at home over Cadiz in the Spanish league

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comes off bench in win Garcia created one chance in 12 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Valladolid.

Impact Garcia had looked better in recent weeks with one goal and one assist in four appearances (two starts) before Tuesday, but Gorka Guruzeta scored three times in the last two matches and jumped ahead in the pecking order. In 13 appearances before the World Cup, Garcia started twice and is unlikely to play a major role this season unless the formation changes to play with two strikers instead of one.

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs assist in win Garcia logged one assist from one chance created and took five shots (one on goal) during 69 minutes of Sunday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Garcia looked determined in his first start of the season but was also quite wasteful, missing the mark on multiple high quality chances throughout the match. Still, the injury to Iker Muniain (oblique) means that Garcia could play more going into the World Cup break. With one goal and one assist in his last three appearanes, Garcia appears full of confidence.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores off bench in draw Garcia scored one goal from three shots (two on goal) in 34 minutes of Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Getafe.

Impact Garcia scored for the first time this season after nine appearances off the bench. He's looked far more motivated recently with one goal from nine shots (three on goal) in his last three appearances, so manager Ernesto Valverde might have to force him into the lineup if Garcia continues to play well.

OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench in draw Garcia put three shots off target in 16 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sevilla.

Impact Garcia has yet to start this season but represented a legitimate threat when on the pitch Saturday. In the current system he's unlikely to start over Inaki Williams but he could carve out a role should he increase his contributions as a substitute.

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off bench in draw Garcia put three shots off target in 33 minutes of Monday's scoreless draw with Mallorca.

Impact Garcia had dealt with a leg injury late into the preseason before putting in a solid shift to open the season. With Inaki Williams pushed to the wing, Garcia is in competition with Asier Villalibre and Gorka Guruzeta for minutes though all four need to score more often.

AUGUST 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for season opener Garcia (upper leg) has been called up by Athletic Club for Monday's clash against Mallorca.

Impact Garcia picked up a knock on his leg late in preseason, but he seems to have recovered and should be available for selection against Mallorca on Monday.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers muscular injury Garcia suffered a muscular injury in his right leg, his club announced Saturday.

Impact Garcia picked up the problem during a friendly against Real Sociedad and could be in doubt for the season opener Aug. 15 against Mallorca. Depending on how the formation changes, there's a good chance Garcia wouldn't have started even if fit as Inaki Williams is sure to play every week and Iker Muniain could be moved to a more central-attacking role. Top preseason goalscorer Asier Villalibre is due more minutes and might be next up with Garcia out as another option.

AUGUST 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Plays first half of season finale Garcia took two shots and made an interception in last weekend's 1-0 defeat against Sevilla. He also made two clearances in the match.

Impact Garcia tallied six goals and two assists in 35 La Liga appearances (24 starts) as he just about remained the preferred option up front alongside Inaki Williams this campaign. The 35-year-old will likely see less playing time next season Oihan Sancet (22), Asier Villalibre (24) and Nico Serrano (19) continue to develop.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Sevilla Garcia (hamstring) is in Bilbao's starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Sevilla.

Impact Garcia suffered a hamstring injury early in last weekend's win over Osasuna, but he has recovered and is fit enough to start alongside Inaki Williams up front on Sunday.

MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE