Raul Garcia he will continue at least one more season defending the Athletic shirt. The agreement between the parties is not yet official, as Onda Vasca announced and was later confirmed by this newspaper, but everything seems to be reduced to a simple matter of time. The Navarrese footballer's new contract contemplates the possibility of another second year depending on the achievement of a series of objectives.
Both the footballer and Aitor elizegi, president of the Bilbao club, had already recently shown their intention to reach the handshake. Own Raul Garcia, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on February 14, answered the question of “why don't you renew now” clearly and concisely.
“I don't shy away from things. I always say the same. I'm fine here, I'm happy. I still feel that I have the same role since when I arrived and you have to talk and try to reach an agreement. I have no doubt that I want to be safe here, I wish it could be said as soon as possible, ”said the Athletic player.
To the question of whether the economic issue could pose a problem when sealing the agreement, Raul Garcia He indicated that “where I like to be able to demand is when it comes to performance, commitment. And in that sense, in the years I've been here, I don't think there are many doubts. The important thing for me is that what I feel right now compared to the first year I arrived here is the same: that I am still an important player and that I am very valid for the team. All things have to go according to that ”.
President's word
Aitor
Elizegi, for his part, was asked last Monday about the situation of the Navarrese. “We know him, he speaks the language of Athletic and we his. Raul is basic for this project. I send the message of tranquility to the fans. We want him to be with us because a spring is coming with many illusions placed on this campus “, declared the president.
President who in an interview days before on TeleBilbao predicted that the renewal of Raul
Garcia, the only one that was missing among the players with a contract until June 30 of this year except for Herrerín, It will arrive soon. “I don't care about the date,” said then a Elizegi He added that the Navarrese likes to “take care of each comma”, something that he applauds. The head of the entity already expected then that the Navarrese would extend his relationship for two or three years.
Numbers sing
This rojiblanco footballer came to Athletic, from Atlético de Madrid and after a disbursement of 10 million euros, just started the 2015-16 season. Since then he has played a total of 238 official matches as a lion, scoring 70 goals. The Navarrese has been a practically indisputable starter with Valverde, Ziganda, Berizzo, Gaizka
Garitano and now with Marcelino.
His numbers also reflect that throughout the first five years he has always exceeded the 30-game barrier. So far this League it already has 21 games, 15 of them in the starting position. His maximum recording record coincided with last season, that of the withdrawal of Aduriz, when he signed a total of 15 goals. Another curious fact is that during this time Athletic has always seen 10 or more yellow cards per season.