Iñigo Lekue has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33. The Athletic Club right-back will hang up his boots after more than a decade with the Basque club, bringing an end to a loyal and reliable career. Lekue's final appearance at San Mamés is scheduled for the penultimate La Liga match of the season against Celta de Vigo.
The decision comes as Lekue's contract expires in June, and the club opted not to offer him a renewal. Rather than seeking a move elsewhere, the defender chose to retire entirely. “I'm not looking at other things. I want to stay at Athletic,” he said in March, but the club's plans did not include him for the next campaign.
Lekue leaves as one of the club's captains, having made 281 appearances for the first team across 11 seasons. During that time, he contributed to three trophies: one Copa del Rey and two Supercopa de España titles. His consistency and professionalism made him a trusted figure in the dressing room.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde, who gave Lekue his debut with the senior side, has always held the defender in high regard. “A totally reliable player in whom you can trust 100% because you know what he will give you and you know he will give everything,” Valverde has repeatedly said. Their relationship is emblematic of Lekue's career: hard work, loyalty, and never letting the team down.
Lekue's farewell will be an emotional day. In recent seasons, he watched teammates like Óscar de Marcos and Mikel Balenziaga go through similar goodbyes. After the last match against Valencia, he stayed behind with his son in an empty San Mamés, already beginning his farewell. The upcoming match against Celta will mark his official send-off in front of the home crowd.
The retirement also fits a broader transition at Athletic Club. With Lekue leaving, the only out-of-contract players in June are Yuri Berchiche and the recently extended Rego. The club has prioritized keeping Yuri, who at 36 remains a key figure on the left flank, while negotiating a longer extension for Rego.
Lekue's departure ends a chapter for a player who embodied the values of Athletic Club: homegrown, humble, and fully committed. He arrived from the youth academy and spent his entire professional career at the club, a rarity in modern football. His absence will leave a leadership gap in the dressing room.
For Athletic, Lekue's retirement signals the end of an era of stability on the right side. While the club will need to find a replacement, Lekue leaves knowing he gave everything for the badge. His final match against Celta will be a chance for fans to thank a player who always put the team first.
Based on reporting from Marca.