Spanish outlet El País today features an article about Athletic Club Bilbao fullback Yuri Berchiche, who’s called the ‘essential rebel’.
They tell his story back from his time at Antiguoko, where he’s drawn attention from his first club as a professional, which was Real Sociedad.
Berchiche then left for Athletic’s academy, and in 2008 he completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur, something that nearly ended his career.
In two years with Spurs, Berchiche never had the chance to play for the first team. He had a short spell at Cheltenham, and was then loaned for a season to Real Valladolid’s B squad.
Berchiche left Tottenham at the end of his contract in 2010, and that’s when he thought of retiring at the age of 20. “I considered leaving football”, he said.
Berchiche found himself with no club, and that’s when his inspirational story started. He signed for third division side Real Union, and step by step made all his way to Real Sociedad, Eibar and Paris Saint Germain.
Signed by Athletic Club Bilbao last summer, El País explains how important the 30 year old has been for the club this season, with 28 appearances so far. That’s what makes him the ‘essential rebel’ for the Basque side.
