Athletic Bilbao Women Face Contractual Uncertainty Ahead of New Season

TITLE: Athletic Bilbao Women Face Contractual Uncertainty Ahead of New Season
SLUG: athletic-bilbao-women-contractual-uncertainty
EXCERPT: As the transfer window heats up, Athletic Bilbao’s women’s team navigates a crucial period of contract renewals and potential departures, with several key players’ futures yet to be decided.
CATEGORY: News
TAGS: Athletic Bilbao, Women’s Football, Contract Renewals, La Liga F, Player Transfers
SEO_TITLE: Athletic Bilbao Women’s Team Faces Contractual Challenges Amidst Transfer Window
SEO_DESCRIPTION: Athletic Bilbao’s women’s team is in a critical phase of contract negotiations, with questions surrounding the futures of several players as the new season approaches.
MEDIA_QUERY: Athletic Bilbao women’s football team training session
IMAGE_ALT: Athletic Bilbao women’s football team players in training gear on a pitch.

The Athletic Bilbao women’s team is entering a period of significant contractual decision-making as the close of the current season brings several player agreements to an end. With the club’s management actively working in the offices at Ibaigane and Lezama, several uncertainties surrounding player futures are expected to be resolved in the coming days.

Por que importa

Recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity regarding player contracts. The renewals of Azkona and Landaluze have been confirmed, while Nerea Nevado and Zubieta have departed after rejecting the club’s offers. The departure of Javi Lerga has also been announced, alongside contract extensions for Oguiza and Zugasti. However, a central task remains: addressing the future of several key players whose contracts are set to expire.

Maddi Torre’s contract concludes on June 30th, and as of yet, there have been no official announcements from the club regarding her situation. Torre, who returned to Lezama for her second spell in 2023 after five years with Real Sociedad, has been an important figure in the team’s defense. Although her contributions were somewhat reduced in the most recent campaign, she featured in 15 Liga F matches, starting 12 and accumulating 992 minutes.

Contexto

Key Facts
| Player | Contract End Date | Status | Notes |
|—|—|—|—|
| Maddi Torre | June 30, 2026 | Pending | Important defensive player, reduced minutes this season. |
| Sara Ortega | June 2026 (with extension option) | Option to extend | Key player, third most minutes this season. |
| Garazi Fácila | June 2026 (with extension) | Extended to 2027 | Loaned to Eibar, potential to compete for left-back spot. |
| Marina Artero | June 2026 (with extension) | Extended to 2027 | Loaned to Deportivo for two seasons. |

The situation for Sara Ortega also requires clarification. Her initial contract was also set to expire in 2026. However, when she last renewed in January 2024, the club indicated an option to extend her contract for an additional year. The 21-year-old midfielder is considered a cornerstone of the team, ranking third in minutes played this past season, behind Nanclares and Elexpuru.

Further complicating the roster are the cases of players who were out on loan. Garazi Fácila and Marina Artero, whose contracts were also due to end this June, have had their agreements automatically extended by the club to 2027. Fácila, a left-back who spent time on loan at Eibar, could see an increased role with Nerea Nevado’s departure. She played in 26 Liga F games for Eibar. Artero has spent the last two seasons on loan at Deportivo.

The club has been proactive in securing long-term commitments from key players. Oguiza has extended her contract until 2029, and Zugasti until 2027. In May, Azkona and Landaluze both signed deals running until 2028. March saw Clara Pinedo commit her future to the club until 2030, making her contract the longest in the current Athletic Bilbao women’s squad.

Looking ahead, the club also faces decisions regarding players whose contracts expire in 2027. This group includes Ortega, Fácila, Artero, Nanclares, Bibi, Elexpuru (with a club option to extend until 2028), Baños, Amezaga, Vilariño, and Astralaga, who was on loan at Eibar. This upcoming period will test Athletic’s ability to retain its talent. Club president Jon Uriarte acknowledged the challenge recently, stating that retaining key players is a priority and that the departures of Nevado and Zubieta represent a “failure.”

The club’s strategy moving forward will be crucial in maintaining its competitive edge in the Liga F. The ongoing contract negotiations and player retention efforts will significantly shape the team’s prospects for the upcoming season. The ability to secure the futures of its core players will be a defining factor in Athletic Bilbao’s success.

Source: Mundo Deportivo Futbol – https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20260616/1004195460/tarea-pendiente-athletic-femenino.html

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