Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday confirmed right-back Andoni Gorosabel as their second signing for the 2024-2025 season.

The 27-year-old joins on a free transfer after a successful season with Alaves, and has agreed a four-year contract.

He joins forward Alvaro Djalo, whose signing from Sporting Braga was announced earlier in the year for a fee of around 12 million euros (13 million U.S. dollars), in strengthening the Basque side's squad.

Gorosabel began his career with Real Sociedad and made 146 first-team appearances, before agreeing to end his contract with the San Sebastian outfit and join Alaves, where he played 37 times as the club made a successful return to La Liga last season.

Last season saw Athletic win the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years to qualify for a place in the UEFA Europa League, while they also finished fifth in La Liga with 68 points from 38 matches.

"It is an exciting season for the fans, for the club and for the squad. I am sure that if we all move in the same direction, we can have a great season, with high hopes and competing at the maximum level. It could be a great year and we hope that's the case," said Gorosabel in declarations on his new club's website.

"He is a player who stands out on in attack, who combines well with his team-mates. We think he can complement our wingers very well, and give more offensive resources to the team," explained Athletic's director of sport Mikel Gonzalez, who also highlighted the defender's "experience in European competitions."

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