Athletic Club's famed academy system has always been a revolving door of talent, and this summer is no exception as the club announced a significant clear-out of its reserve teams. The Bilbao Athletic and Basconia squads will see a wave of departures, headlined by players who once stood on the cusp of first-team football. The decision sends a stark reminder of the ruthless standards at Lezama, where only the very best survive the relentless churn.
Center-back Jon de Luis is the most high-profile name on the exit list. The 23-year-old arrived from Osasuna in the summer of 2023 as part of a triple signing that included Jelbat and Gift. While his two compatriots have also moved on—only Gift remains at the club—De Luis' departure resonates because of his recent proximity to the senior setup. Injuries to established defenders saw him drafted into Champions League matchday squads, a clear indication that Ernesto Valverde considered him a viable emergency option. However, the club's decision to not retain him suggests that his performances did not convince the hierarchy that he could make the permanent step up. "Being on the bench in Europe is one thing, but earning a regular spot is another entirely," a source close to the coaching staff remarked. "The club feels it has better options coming through."
The story of the trio signed in 2023 serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulty of breaking into Athletic's first team. Jelbat, Gift, and De Luis arrived with promise but found the path blocked by established stars and emerging academy products. With Jelbat already gone and now De Luis following, Gift stands alone as the last remnant of that intake. His survival is a testament to his adaptability, but the pressure will be immense to justify the club's faith. The Athletic philosophy, which restricts recruitment to players of Basque origin or formation, means every signing is a calculated risk, and the failure rate is high.
Winger Endika Buján's departure carries a particularly sentimental sting. The local talent joined from Barakaldo and lived a fairytale moment in February 2025 when Valverde handed him a debut at San Mamés against Girona. Those were his only minutes in a red-and-white shirt, but they symbolized the dream that fuels every academy graduate. Yet, dreams often clash with reality, and the club's decision to release him underscores the gap between a sentimental debut and the consistent quality demanded at LaLiga level. "That night against Girona was special, but the staff expects more than fleeting moments," noted a Lezama insider. Buján will now need to rebuild his career elsewhere, likely in the lower divisions.
The clear-out extends beyond the headline names. Bilbao Athletic also bids farewell to Irurita, Gamen, and Iker Aldai. Aldai, a defender who spent the season on loan from Eibar, made 28 appearances for the reserve side but will return to his parent club without a permanent deal. Additionally, loanees Gastesi and Elías, who spent the campaign at Arenas and Amorebieta respectively, have been told they will not be returning to Lezama. These decisions are part of a systematic evaluation process that leaves no room for sentiment. Every player is judged on their ability to eventually contribute to the first team, and for these seven, the verdict was clear.
Basconia, the club's third-tier feeder team, also sees a cull of talent. Gaizka Alboniga-Menor, David Osipov, and Iker Galindo are among those moving on, alongside loanees Ander Fernández and Unai Garcés. While these names may not register with the wider public, their exits reflect the constant filtering process that defines Athletic's academy. For every Iñaki Williams or Oihan Sancet that emerges, dozens fall by the wayside. The club's model demands that it produces elite-level talent from a limited pool, and that means making tough calls early to avoid blocking pathways for more promising prospects.
The implications of this squad trimming are multifaceted. For the players, it is a harsh but expected moment that forces them to seek new challenges, often in the Segunda B or regional leagues, where they can prove their worth and perhaps one day return to haunt their former club. For Athletic, it opens up roster spots and financial resources—modest as they may be—to invest in the next crop of youngsters. The club has already identified several cadet and juvenile talents who are expected to step into the breach. The production line never truly stops; it just changes personnel.
From a tactical standpoint, De Luis' exit suggests the club is comfortable with its central defensive depth. With established players like Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes, plus the emergence of younger prospects, the need for a fourth or fifth-choice center-back who could only fill in during crises was minimal. His Champions League call-ups were born of necessity, not a long-term plan. Buján's release, meanwhile, points to an abundance of wide options in the first team and B team, with players like Nico Williams, Alex Berenguer, and emerging talents blocking the pipeline.
Looking ahead, Athletic Club will now focus on the 2026-27 season, with Valverde and sporting director Mikel González continuing to fine-tune a squad that has become a regular European contender. The lessons from this clear-out are evident: even those who get a taste of the big time cannot relax. The demands are relentless, and the competition for places is fiercer than ever. As one veteran observer of the club noted, "Lezama is a forge, not a museum. It creates, but it also discards."
For the departing players, the future is uncertain but not necessarily bleak. Many will find opportunities at other clubs where they can secure regular playing time and reignite their careers. De Luis, at 23, has time on his side, and his Champions League experience could prove attractive to second-division sides. Buján, with his debut memories, will be a valuable asset for any team willing to invest in his development. The Basque football ecosystem is tightly knit, and doors often reopen in unexpected ways.
In the end, this culling is business as usual for Athletic Club, a club where identity and performance are inextricably linked. The departures of Jon de Luis, Endika Buján, and the others are not anomalies; they are the natural consequence of a system that demands the absolute best. As the club turns the page, the message to the next generation is clear: seize your chance, because it may be the only one you get.
Based on reporting from Marca.