Athletic Bilbao have completed the signing of defender Inigo Martinez from Basque rivals Real Sociedad, it has been confirmed.
The 26-year-old had his €32m release clause at the Anoeta triggered by Athletic, who view him as a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who joined Manchester City in a €70m deal today.
Martinez was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona this summer before the Catalan giants reportedly pulled the plug on a deal but while the central defender had also been linked with City.
Martinez has amassed 205 La Liga appearances for La Real since his debut in 2011 and his current deal at the club runs until June 2021.
Part of Spain’s Under-21 European Championship winning side in 2013, Martinez has gone on to be capped four times at senior level for La Roja.
The defender will become the 13th player to play for both Basque clubs.
