Julen Agirrezabala

Julen Agirrezabala Astúlez (born 26 December 2000) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

Club career
Born in San Sebastián and raised in nearby Errenteria (both in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country), Agirrezabala joined Athletic Bilbao's youth setup in 2018, from Antiguoko. He made his senior debut with the farm team during the 2019–20 season, in Tercera División.

On his debut with the reserves on 1 November 2020, Agirrezabala started and saved a penalty kick in a 3–2 Segunda División B away win against Club Portugalete. The following 15 March, he renewed his contract until 2025.

In June 2021, Agirrezabala was called up by manager Marcelino to take part in the pre-season with the main squad. He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 16 August, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Elche CF. He spent most of that season playing for the reserves, but was selected in the Copa del Rey in preference to Jokin Ezkieta (first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simón stepping aside) and took part in victories over Barcelona and Real Madrid before the run was ended at the semi-final stage by Valencia. Ezkieta moved on ahead of the 2022–23 season and Agirrezabala became the main understudy to Simón in the league. He was again used in the cup as the team advanced to the semi-finals once more, this time eliminated by Osasuna.

Agirrezabala played every minute of Athletic's run in the 2023–24 Copa del Rey, keeping four clean sheets including in both legs of the semi-final against Atlético Madrid; in the final against RCD Mallorca, his solid performance was capped by saving Manu Morlanes's effort in the penalty shootout as the Basques claimed the trophy for the first time in 40 years.

International career
In August 2021, Agirrezabala was called up to the Spain under-21 squad for two UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches. On 8 October, he made his full debut in a victory over Slovakia at La Cartuja. On 2 June 2023, he was called up for the Under-21 Championship finals held in Georgia and Romania. In that tournament he was a back-up for Arnau Tenas, but played in the third group stage match against Ukraine.

Honours
Athletic Bilbao
 * Copa del Rey: 2023–24

Spain U21
 * UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2023