Returning Aduriz adds to Athletic options
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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Coach Marcelo Bielsa recently agreed to remain at the helm of Athletic Club for one more season and he continues to build, with forward Aritz Aduriz his latest recruit.
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UEFA Europa League challengers Athletic Club have re-signed striker Aritz Aduriz after the 31-year old agreed to return to Los Leones from Valencia CF for a reported €2.5m fee.
A product of Athletic's youth system, Aduriz – who has agreed a three-year deal with last season's UEFA Europa League finalists – had spells at Burgos CF and Real Valladolid CF before bedding in at San Mamés where he struck 22 goals in 85 top-flight games. A 2008 switch to RCD Mallorca followed but it was with Valencia, where he managed 17 goals in 57 Liga games, that the forward earned his only cap for Spain in a 3-1 UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying win at home to Lithuania in October 2010.
Athletic will present Aduriz and fellow recent new arrival Ismael López – the 22-year-old striker who has signed on a free transfer from CD Lugo – on Thursday. Marcelo Bielsa's side will enter next season's UEFA Europa League in the third qualifying round.
