Athletic Club register Egiluz despite lengthy injury layoff until spring
The 23-year-old defender won't return until March or April following ACL surgery, but has been registered with the number 13 shirt for the remainder of the season.
Athletic Club have registered young centre-back Unai Egiluz for the remainder of the season, though the 23-year-old remains sidelined with a serious knee injury until at least March.
Long road to recovery
Egiluz, who has been assigned the number 13 shirt, is still in rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on August 6 for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The club’s medical team estimates he’ll be out until March or April, with the variable timeline reflecting the unpredictable nature of ACL recovery periods, which typically range from six to eight months.
If his recovery continues on its current positive trajectory, Egiluz could potentially feature for Ernesto Valverde’s side during the final stretch of the season. The same can’t be said for teammate Prados, who suffered a similar ACL injury a month later and underwent surgery on September 23, making his chances of playing this season significantly slimmer.
Curious career path
Egiluz’s registration comes after a rather unusual sequence of events in his Athletic career. Last season, he was loaned to Mirandés in Spain’s second division, where he made 33 appearances and helped the club reach the promotion playoffs to La Liga.
Despite this promising spell, Athletic initially decided not to exercise their option on the defender and allowed him to seek opportunities elsewhere. However, the club’s stance changed dramatically when UEFA began disciplinary proceedings against Yeray for a positive test, prompting Athletic to not only complete the signing of Laporte but also offer Egiluz a contract until 2028.
Defensive concerns remain
While Egiluz’s registration might appear to address Athletic’s centre-back shortage, his continued absence means the Basque club’s defensive headaches persist in the immediate term. His addition to the squad represents what is likely to be Athletic’s only incoming move during the January transfer window.