Iñigo Lekue

2.1. Early Career

Lekue made his senior debut with CD Basconia, Athletic Bilbao's farm team, during the 2012-13 Tercera División season, making 34 appearances. On June 21, 2013, he was promoted to Bilbao Athletic, the club's reserve team, which competed in the Segunda División B. He remained an ever-present figure for Bilbao Athletic during the 2014-15 season, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the Segunda División after a 19-year absence. During his time with Bilbao Athletic, he made a total of 66 appearances and scored his first senior goal on December 21, 2015. This goal was an equalizer in a 1-1 home draw against CD Lugo.

2.2. Athletic Bilbao

On June 29, 2015, following his impressive performance with the reserves, Lekue was promoted to the main squad of Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. His official first-team debut came on August 15, 2015, when he entered as a second-half substitute for fellow youth graduate Sabin Merino in a decisive 4-0 home victory against FC Barcelona in the 2015 Supercopa de España. This marked his first taste of a major trophy, as Athletic Bilbao went on to win the competition. Fifteen days later, he made his first league appearance in a 2-0 loss against neighboring SD Eibar, where he was substituted at half-time.

Lekue scored his first goal in Spain's top flight on April 3, 2016, opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw against Granada CF at the San Mamés Stadium. His consistent performance led to a contract extension until 2019, agreed upon on June 8, 2016. Later that year, on November 24, 2016, he scored his first European goal, netting a crucial goal in a 3-2 home victory against US Sassuolo Calcio in a UEFA Europa League group stage match. In January 2018, his contract was further extended to 2023.

Despite his early successes, Lekue faced challenges. He missed most of the 2018-19 La Liga season due to persistent back issues, returning as a late substitute on March 16, 2019, in a 2-0 home win against Atlético Madrid. Under manager Gaizka Garitano, Lekue's playing time became scarce, and he reportedly explored options for a new club during the January 2021 transfer window. However, his fortunes turned with the arrival of new manager Marcelino, who reinstated him into the team. That same month, Lekue won his second Supercopa de España title in the 2020-21 Supercopa de España final, once again defeating Barcelona.

April 2021 proved to be a bittersweet month for Lekue as he participated in two Copa del Rey finals. Athletic Bilbao lost both, first to rival Real Sociedad in the delayed 2019-20 Copa del Rey final, and then to Barcelona in the 2020-21 Copa del Rey final, a match which ended in a 4-0 defeat where Lekue came on as a half-time substitute. In the 2022-23 season, Lekue saw increased playing time due to injuries sustained by teammates Yuri Berchiche and Mikel Balenziaga. In April 2023, while recovering from his own injury, he signed another contract extension, committing to the club until 2025. He later played a role in Athletic Bilbao's triumph in the 2023-24 Copa del Rey, marking another significant achievement in his career.