Laporte loving life at Athletic

Aymeric Laporte has revealed that he is loving life at Athletic Bilbao, where “I hope to go as far as I can and win some trophies”.

The French defender’s consistently-impressive displays for Los Leones since his debut in 2011 have seen him linked with moves to Champions League clubs and a switch to La Roja, but he has made it clear that he is happy with the status quo.

“It’s a pleasure to play here and I hope to go as far as I can with the club and win some trophies,” he told UEFA’s official website ahead of Sunday’s La Liga trip to Deportivo La Coruna.

“If someone had told me when I was 13 or 14 that I’d be a centre-back at a leading European team, it would have really surprised me.

“I’ve worked hard for it. I left home very young. I was away by 12, although I was very attached to my family.

“When I was 15 I came here without my family, even if they did help me a lot, especially on the phone. I've made sacrifices, but it’s been worth it.

“All that gives me even more desire to work hard and be a success.

“Valverde is a top Coach. He has helped me a lot in all things: personal, the football side, tactical, technical.

“He showed particular faith in me last season and during this new campaign. I’m very happy under him.”

Laporte’s Coach Ernesto Valverde returned the favour, adding:  “He is a very important player for us and has a bright future ahead of him. He is one of the pillars of the team.

“It’s true that he is still young and needs to improve some things, but he is a real player already.

“He’s already pretty mature despite his young age and you can see that on the pitch.

“The position he plays comes with a lot of responsibility. He can initiate moves really well, he is fast and physically very strong.

“Experience is always important for a centre-back and there are experienced centre-backs who just know how to position themselves.

“So if you’re already gaining that experience at the age of 21, just imagine what is ahead of you.”

Tags Aymeric Laporte Deportivo Ernesto Valverde
La Liga - Club News