Spain international defender Inigo Martinez joins Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao
- Oscar Sanders
- 5 July 2023
Defender Inigo Martinez has joined Barcelona on a two-year deal from Athletic Bilbao.
Defender Inigo Martinez has swapped Athletic Bilbao for Barcelona.
An agreement has been reached between the two parties fter his contract with Athletic Club ended.
The player is set to sign a two-year deal that ends on June 30, 2025, with the release clause set at 400 million euro.
The Club will provide further details about Iñigo Martínez' presentation as a new first team player in due course.
Born in Ondarroa (the Basque Country), the 32-year-old defender joins Barça with a wealth of first division football experience under his belt. His spells at Real Sociedad and then Athletic Club saw him play over 350 LaLiga games, including scoring 22 goals.
Being strong in the air, a great ball carrier and defensively solid will improve Barça's backline even further, which will also have a left-footed player to call on. A veteran of many battles, Iñigo Martínez is also known for his leadership and competitive nature.
He set out on his playing career at his local club, Aurrera de Ondarroa, but joined the Real Sociedad youth system at the age of 15, going on to make his top flight debut on August 27, 2011. After six and a half seasons leading the Sociedad defence, he signed for Athletic Club, where he played up to now becoming the assured, tough and very experienced central defender he is today.
He has also played for the Spanish national teams from the youth level right up to gaining caps for the full side.
