Athletic awed by Etxeberria's leaving gift

Big character
The move has been described by Athletic president Fernando García Macua as "an almost unique gesture in world football" by a player who has spent nearly his entire career at the Basque club since signing from Real Sociedad de Fútbol for what was a club-record €3.3m fee back in 1995. With Etxeberria's current deal due to expire at the end of the season, the 31-year-old offered to play out one more season with the Liga side without receiving a salary or bonuses, before retiring in 2010. "I am filled with pride by this act that comes from a great professional and a charismatic character," García Macua continued. "Words can't describe his behaviour and the sentiment he has shown."

Future talent
During his time so far at the San Mamés, 'Etxebe' has made 475 appearances in all competitions and he has made no secret of the fact that he would like to say goodbye to football having reached the 500 mark. "It's an idea I've had in my head for a while now," the player revealed. "My objective was to play 15 years with Athletic which is a lifetime for a footballer. I'll be retiring at quite a young age but I was young when I started out. It's time to make way for the younger lads coming through who are now taking a path that I too once took. In the future who knows what will happen? I'd like to continue in the sport in some way; it's my life."

Happy years
That sporting life saw Etxeberria amass a total of 53 caps for Spain over a seven-year period that took in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 and 2004 UEFA European Championships. The Basque-born player also appeared in Athletic's 1998/99 UEFA Champions League group stage campaign and scored in his team's opening game home draw against Rosenborg BK. "After so many years here you realise that Athletic is more than just a football club," he said. "There are so many people working in the background. These have been very happy years for me and my family and I want to give back something that has been given to me."