Athletic Bilbao

Club Information

Club History

Athletic Club de Bilbao were founded in 1898 and have one of football's most unique policies — they only sign players who are Basque or were developed in the Basque Country youth system. Despite this restrictive recruitment policy, Athletic are one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from La Liga (alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona). The club moved to the stunning new San Mames stadium in 2013, known as "The Cathedral of Football." Athletic finally ended their 40-year trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey in 2024.

Trophy Cabinet

• La Liga: 8
• Copa del Rey: 24
• Supercopa de Espana: 3

Did You Know?

• Athletic Bilbao only sign Basque players or those developed in Basque academies — unique among top European clubs
• They are one of only three clubs never relegated from La Liga along with Real Madrid and Barcelona
• The new San Mames is known as "The Cathedral" and was voted one of Europe's best stadiums
• Athletic ended a 40-year trophy drought by winning the 2024 Copa del Rey
• The club has won the Copa del Rey 24 times making them the second most successful club in the competition
• Athletic's founding was influenced by British workers in the Bilbao shipyards and mines
• The Basque-only policy means Athletic have never spent a single euro on a transfer fee for a non-Basque player