Iker Bilbao

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Bilbao and the second or maternal family name is Mendiguren.
Iker Bilbao
Personal information
Full name Iker Bilbao Mendiguren
Date of birth (1996-03-20) 20 March 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Larrabetzu, Spain
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Real Unión
Number 8
Youth career
Danok Bat
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2018 Basconia 54 (3)
2017–2018 → Gernika (loan) 15 (0)
2018–2022 Amorebieta 110 (9)
2022–2024 PAS Giannina 18 (0)
2024 Alcorcón 6 (0)
2024– Real Unión 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Iker Bilbao Mendiguren (born 20 March 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Real Unión.

Career

Bilbao was born in Larrabetzu, Biscay, Basque Country, and finished his formation with Danok Bat CF. On 5 July 2015, he moved to Athletic Bilbao and was assigned to the farm team in Tercera División.[1]

Bilbao made his senior debut on 3 October 2015, starting in a 0–4 Tercera División away loss against Zalla UC.[2] He scored his first senior goal late in the month, netting the opener in a 2–2 draw at SD Deusto.[3]

On 18 August 2017, Bilbao was loaned to Segunda División B side Gernika Club, for one year.[4] On 17 July of the following year, after featuring sparingly, he signed for fellow league team SD Amorebieta.[5]

Initially a backup option, Bilbao became a starter in the 2020–21 campaign, featuring in 25 league matches (play-offs included) and scoring twice as his side achieved a first-ever promotion to Segunda División; one of his two goals was in a 1–0 away win over CD Badajoz, which sealed the club's promotion.[6] He made his professional debut on 23 August 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute for Gorka Guruzeta in a 0–2 away loss against CD Mirandés.[7]

On 28 June 2022, Bilbao moved abroad for the first time in his career and signed for Greek side PAS Giannina FC.[8] On 30 January 2024, he returned to his home country and its second division, agreeing to a short-term deal with AD Alcorcón.[9]

On 3 July 2024, Bilbao signed for Real Unión on a one-year contract, with the option for a second year.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Iker Bilbao nuevo fichaje para el Basconia desde el Danok Bat" [Iker Bilbao new signing for Basconia from Danok Bat] (in Spanish). La Cantera de Lezama. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Zalla 4–0 Basconia" (in Spanish). La Cantera de Lezama. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Deusto 2 – Basconia 2" (in Spanish). La Cantera de Lezama. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. ^ "El Athletic cede a Iker Bilbao al Gernika" [Athletic loan Iker Bilbao to Gernika] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Iker Bilbao: "Todos los años se aprende algo nuevo"" [Iker Bilbao: "Every year you learn something new"] (in Spanish). SD Amorebieta. 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  6. ^ "RESUMEN | Iker Bilbao sella el sueño de una primera vez en Segunda División (0–1)" [REPORT | Iker Bilbao seals the dream of a first time in Segunda División (0–1)] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Este Mirandés promete" [This Mirandés is promising] (in Spanish). Marca. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  8. ^ "WELCOME IKER BILBAO". www.pasgiannina.gr. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  9. ^ "La A.D. Alcorcón incorpora a Iker Bilbao" [A.D. Alcorcón signs Iker Bilbao] (in Spanish). AD Alcorcón. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Iker Bilbao llega al Real Unión Club – Real Unión Club" (in European Spanish). Retrieved 25 August 2024.