MADRID, July 11 (Xinhua) -- La Liga side Valencia has signed goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala on loan from Athletic Bilbao to end the club's search for a reliable replacement for Giorgi Mamardashvili, who moved to Liverpool this summer.
Agirrezabala joins Valencia for the 2025-26 season, with Valencia having an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old has moved to try to gain more regular first-team football, as he has Spain international Unai Simon ahead of him at Athletic.
Agirrezabala has mostly served as a deputy to Simon in La Liga, although he made 14 appearances last season when the Spain keeper needed a wrist operation, and served as first choice in Athletic's Europa League campaign.
He also played in Athletic's entire 2023/24 Copa del Rey campaign, when the club ended a 40-year drought to lift the trophy, with Agirrezabala making a vital save in the decisive penalty shoot-out.
However, with Simon set to play in La Liga and the Champions League next season, Agirrezabala's options appeared limited in a season that ends with the FIFA World Cup.
Athletic has recalled Alex Padilla from his loan to Mexican side Pumas, and the 21-year-old will provide back-up to Simon this season. ■
