In a move that ended the controversy of the past few days, Al-Nassr club announced its approval of the transfer of its Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte to Athletic Bilbao, thanking the player for his contributions during his time with the team since summer 2023.
This transfer marks a historic return for Laporte to his former club Athletic Bilbao, which he represented between 2010 and 2018 before moving to Manchester City and winning English Premier League titles, then having a brief stint in the Saudi league with Al-Nassr.
Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus had excluded Laporte from Al-Nassr’s pre-season training camp, which many considered a clear indication of the end of his career with the team, accelerating negotiations for his transfer to the Spanish La Liga.
The deal faced complications in the final moments of the summer transfer window, before the International Football Federation (FIFA) intervened to resolve the situation and grant the Spanish Football Association full authority to issue the player’s international transfer certificate.
Athletic Bilbao’s statement was clear: “FIFA has granted the Spanish Football Association permission to obtain the International Transfer Certificate from its Saudi counterpart, and once issued, Laporte will be officially registered in the team’s roster.”
Laporte’s return strengthens Athletic Bilbao’s defense before facing the challenges of the new season, as the coaching staff relies on his extensive experience in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League to lead the defensive line and add stability to the team.