Guess who’s back? Aymeric Laporte, the experienced central defender, has returned to Athletic Bilbao. He signed a new three-season deal, keeping him with the Spanish League club until 2028. This move comes after he left Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where Jorge Jesus was the coach.
The Basques shared the exciting news on their official website today. Their statement made it clear: “Aymeric Laporte is back home.” He’s committed to the club until June 30, 2028. Fans are already buzzing about his return.
This isn’t Laporte’s first rodeo in Bilbao. The 31-year-old knows the club inside and out. He took his first steps in professional football right here, playing 222 games between 2012 and 2018. It truly feels like a homecoming for him.
However, the transfer almost didn’t happen. The necessary paperwork to register Laporte didn’t arrive in time, leaving the deal in limbo. For a while, it looked like everything was frozen.
Thankfully, the situation got sorted today. FIFA stepped in and gave the Real Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) permission. They were able to get the International Transfer Certificate (CIT) from the Saudi Football Federation. Crisis averted, and Laporte is officially an Athletic player again.
Before his two years with Al Nassr, Laporte spent five and a half seasons with Manchester City in England. He played for them from 2018 to 2023. Now, after stops in England and Saudi Arabia, he’s back where his journey began.