Zubiaurre gets Athletic chance

Contract problem
The 22-year-old was able to leave Real when his contract expired yesterday, although officials at the San Sebastian-based club said the player had been offered an extra year. Zubiaurre, who has agreed a deal until 2011 with Athletic, described the move as "a dream come true". Athletic will enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup tomorrow with the first leg of their second-round tie at Romania's CFR Cluj.

Astiazaran leaving
Meanwhile, Real have appointed Miguel Fuentes as their new president. The 40-year-old former Real player polled 31,291 votes, a significant majority over fellow candidate Miguel Santos who gained 20,300. Fuentes replaces lawyer José Luis Astiazaran, who had been in the post for four seasons.