Mikel Vesga

Mikel Vesga Arruti (born 8 April 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a defensive midfielder.

Club career
Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Basque Country, Vesga made his debut as a senior with CD Aurrerá de Vitoria in 2012, in the Tercera División. In summer 2013 he moved to Deportivo Alavés, being assigned to the reserves also in the fourth division.

On 1 July 2014, after refusing a new deal, Vesga joined another reserve team, Bilbao Athletic from Segunda División B. Having gained the confidence of coach José Ángel Ziganda he was an ever-present figure during the season, appearing in 38 matches and scoring three goals as they returned to Segunda División after 19 years.

Vesga made his professional debut on 24 August 2015, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Girona FC. He scored his first league goal on 7 February of the following year, the winner in a 3–2 away victory over RCD Mallorca.

On 17 August 2016, after spending the whole pre-season with the first team, Vesga was definitely promoted to the Ernesto Valverde-led side and was assigned the number 12 shirt. He made his La Liga debut four days later, coming on as a second-half substitute for Mikel San José in the 2–1 defeat at Sporting de Gijón.

On 12 September 2016, Vesga extended his contract until 2019, with a buyout clause set at €30 million. The following 25 January, he was loaned to fellow top-tier club Sporting Gijón until the end of the campaign. He scored his first goal in the competition on 15 April 2017, putting the hosts ahead 2–1 in an eventual 3–2 loss against Real Madrid at El Molinón.

On 4 July 2018, Vesga was loaned to CD Leganés also from the Spanish top flight in a season-long move. In January 2021 he agreed to an extension at Athletic running to the summer of 2024, with a release clause of €50 million.

On 3 February 2022, Vesga provided the assist for Álex Berenguer to score a late winning goal against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. On 21 April, he closed the 3–2 victory at Cádiz CF with a shot from outside the box, also being sent off in the match. A week later, he was the standout player in the defeat of Atlético Madrid, with 15 ball recoveries and a 98% pass completion rate.

Vesga scored two penalties in a 4–2 win over Real Betis on 27 August 2023. He again renewed his contract at the San Mamés Stadium in December, to run until 30 June 2027.

Honours
Athletic Bilbao
 * Copa del Rey: 2023–24; runner-up: 2019–20, 2020–21
 * Supercopa de España: 2021