Egiluz on the brink of Athletic return after six-month ACL nightmare
Athletic Club defender Unai Egiluz nears return to training after July cruciate ligament injury, with Valverde set to receive defensive boost before season's end.
Young Athletic defender poised to rejoin first-team training after gruelling six-month recovery from ACL tear suffered during pre-season friendly.
The Road to Recovery
Unai Egiluz is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel after what’s been a proper nightmare for the 23-year-old centre-back. The Basque defender is on the verge of receiving medical clearance to rejoin Ernesto Valverde’s training sessions following the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in his right knee on July 30th during a friendly against Racing.
It’s been a long old slog for the lad since going under the knife on August 6th. Now, almost six and a half months later, he’s about to start mixing it with his teammates again as he builds towards full competitive fitness.
Valverde’s Defensive Options
Athletic made sure to register Egiluz for La Liga during the January transfer window, meaning Valverde will have another option at the back before the season wraps up. This timing couldn’t be better for the gaffer:
- Egiluz’s return significantly boosts centre-back options
- Yeray will complete his UEFA suspension on April 2nd, further strengthening the defence
- The returning defender spent last season on loan at Mirandés, gaining valuable experience
Final Steps
The youngster has been putting in the graft with Athletic’s rehabilitation specialists in recent weeks, often training on pitch number one alongside Xabi Clemente. His recovery programme has gradually incorporated more dynamic movements and ball work as he builds confidence in his repaired knee.
Don’t expect to see him in the famous red and white stripes immediately, mind you. While medical clearance is imminent, competitive clearance is another kettle of fish entirely. The club will be taking no chances with their Adam’s apple, ensuring he can handle the intensity and workload of top-flight football before throwing him back into the mixer.