The goalkeeper who turned penalty shootouts into trophy-winning moments
In short: From the Basque academy to the heights of La Liga, Julen Agirrezabala has built a reputation for composure under pressure. Whether saving crucial penalties or anchoring historic cup runs, his career has been defined by decisive moments in the most high-stakes matches.
Born in Errenteria on 26 December 2000, Julen Agirrezabala’s ascent through the Spanish football ranks began in the Basque Country. After early stints at CD Touring and Antiguoko, he joined the prestigious Athletic Bilbao academy in 2018. His professional journey gained momentum during the 2019–20 season, where he debuted for the club's reserve side in the Tercera División. A defining early moment occurred on 1 November 2020, when he secured a 3–2 victory against Club Portugalete by saving a penalty kick.
Agirrezabala’s talent for big moments became a hallmark of his time at Athletic Bilbao. During the 2021–22 campaign, manager Marcelino García Toral called him up for pre-season, leading to a La Liga debut against Elche CF on 16 August 2021. In the Copa del Rey, he played a pivotal role in victories over giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. His most celebrated achievement came in the 2023–24 tournament, where he played every minute of the run, recording four clean sheets. In the final against RCD Mallorca, he saved a penalty in the shootout to help Athletic secure their first trophy in 40 years.
The goalkeeper's career has also seen significant transitions. Following a loan spell at Valencia, which began on 11 July 2025, he faced internal competition and injury setbacks. By 10 August 2026, he signed a five-year contract with the newly-promoted La Liga side Racing de Santander. On the international stage, he represented Spain at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, helping the team reach the final as runners-up.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Julen Agirrezabala
- Also: Wikidata — Julen Agirrezabala · CC0
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