Athletic swoop to capture Iraizoz

Athletic Club Bilbao have signed goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz from RCD Espanyol in a deal worth in the region of €4m, with Iñaki Lafuente travelling the other way on loan.

Homecoming
The move marks something of a homecoming for Pamplona-born Iraizoz, who started his career with CD Baskonia before joining Espanyol's youth ranks in 2002. The 26-year-old came to the fore last season, and was ever-present as the Catalan side reached the UEFA Cup final before losing on penalties to Sevilla FC. He has never been able to force his way past Idris Kameni in the Primera División starting XI, however, and has agreed a four-year contract with Athletic, with the 31-year-old Iñaki Lafuente moving the other way on loan until the end of the season. On a day of goalkeeping moves in Spain, Club Atlético de Madrid have loaned out Iván Cuéllar to Segunda División outfit SD Eibar.