The Silly Season ~ Bilbao Style

By: Elisa | May 27th, 2008

Our First Signing of the Summer aka Striker Watch:

Athletic signs Sestao River’s 23 year old forward Gaizka Toquero, who already had a pre-contract with Eibar. He is returning on loan with Eibar. He has signed with Athletic until 2010.

new signing

Strikers and goals have always been a problem. I guess we have to wait for Toquero. Maybe Velez. Ion Vélez, is returning from his loan at Hercules. The 23 year old forward is happy to be back and fight for his position. He will also participate in the preseason with the first team. Gawd I wish Joseba Llorente wasn’t so expensive.

Preseason News - still tentative:

On July 10th, Athletic will start their preseason. Their base will be Cinnamon Island or Isla Canela in Huelva. Hmmm Yummy! They will play various friendlies against local clubs during July.

July 22 - 25 they will play in Morocco at Rabat and Casablanca in a tournament. Rivals discussed include a local club, Lazio, Udinese and/or a French club.

On August 10th they will play against the winner of the Tenerife v Las Palmas game in the Teide tournament in the beautiful Tenerife.
On the 21st they will play a friendly vs Conquense in Cuenca.
On the 23rd Athletic will participate in the City of Valladolid tourney. (Aduriz’ old stomping grounds)

Rumors of Greece, England, and other tournaments continue. As soon as I hear official word, I will update the blog.

Youngsters/cateranos participating in pre-season in Huelva:

Iker Muniain (15), Jonás Ramalho (14) Iker Guarrotxena (15), Ismael López (18, Athletic B), Ander Iturraspe (19, Basconia) and Ander Agüero (19, Basconia). Caparros wants to take a look at them and see what they got! We like them young, eh?

Goodbye and farewell aka Emerging Left Back problem

Goodbye/Released players: Dani Aranzubia (goalkeeper), Unai Expósito (defender), Asier Del Horno (left back). President Macua recently thanked them for all their time with Athletic and best of luck in their future endeavors. We definitely need a left back now. Javi Casas and Koikili will be fighting for the position for now. I don’t know if these two are good enough, quite frankly. Can someone say Natxo Monreal or Javi Garrido? Stay tuned!

The beauty of the Silly Season aka Goalkeepers growing on trees

Caparros has his hands full, their are so many players that need to be reassessed or sold. We still have a lot of deadwood or players at the end of their cycle, at the club. (Luis Prieto, Tiko, David Cuéllar, Iñaki Muñoz, etc.)

Plus, we have way too many goal keepers due to the injuries and problems this past season. Armando, Gorka, Zubiuarre (most likely going out on loan), and Iñaki Lafuente who was on loan at Espanyol and has now returned. Sheesh! And we just released Aranzubia.

All in all things are on the move.