Athletic hands new deal to Iraola
Bilbao, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Athletic Bilbao and veteran defender Andoni Iraola have come to terms on a new contract that keeps Iraola at the San Mames until June 2015.
The 31-year-old has come up through the youth system at Bilbao and made over 450 appearances for the club since breaking into the first team in 2003.
"I am happy, grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to continue here," Iraola said.
"I've been fortunate to be here for many years, I have had the confidence of all the technicians (coaches) who (have) been here.
"I will always be grateful to (Ernesto) Valverde (the current Athletic manager who gave Iraola his first-team debut in 2003) who gave me the opportunity to compete for Athletic."
Iraola has been capped seven times by Spain on the international level and he has started all 15 of Athletic's games in La Liga this term.