Unai Gómez

Unai Gómez Etxebarria (born 25 May 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

Career
Born in Bermeo, Biscay, Basque Country, Gómez joined Athletic Bilbao's youth setup in 2013 from hometown side Bermeo FT. He left in 2016, and spent three years with Danok Bat CF before returning to the Lezama Facilities in 2019.

Gómez was promoted to the farm team in Tercera División RFEF on 19 July 2021, and made his senior debut on 5 September, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Barakaldo CF. He scored his first senior goal on 21 November, netting the winner in a 1–0 home success over Santutxu FC.

Gómez was promoted to the reserves on 10 July 2022, and made his first appearance for the side on 28 August by coming on as a second-half substitute for Ewan Urain in a 2–1 Primera Federación home loss against CF La Nucía. He scored his first goals for the B-side on 29 January 2023, netting a brace in a 3–0 home win over UD Logroñés.

In the summer of 2023, he was one of the players chosen to do the preseason with the senior squad, where he was one of the most outstanding performers. In addition, within the first few minutes of his first friendly match as a starter, he scored a goal against Celtic. On 12 August 2023, he made his full La Liga debut at San Mamés in a defeat against Real Madrid. On 27 August he scored his first professional goal to seal a 4–2 victory against Real Betis. On 20 October, he renewed his contract with Athletic until June 2028. On 20 December he scored with a header following a save by Álvaro Valles, to secure a 1–0 victory over UD Las Palmas in the 94th minute.

International career
On March 15, 2024, he was called up by under-21 coach Santi Denia for two qualifying matches for the Under-21 European Championship against Slovakia and Belgium.

Career statistics

 * Notes

Honours
Athletic Bilbao
 * Copa del Rey: 2023–24