Aymeric Laporte says Athletic Club return 'everything I wanted' after FIFA approve La Liga return following Al-Nassr mix up

The Spanish international has officially sealed his return to Athletic Club after FIFA approved the paperwork for his transfer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The move, initially cancelled on deadline day due to the Saudi side submitting the paperwork late, was revived after the Athletic and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) appealed. FIFA has now given the green light, allowing the defender to be registered in La Liga.

The 31-year-old has signed a three-year contract and will wear the number 14 shirt. It marks a homecoming for Laporte, who came through Athletic’s youth system at Lezama and made 222 appearances during his first spell before joining Manchester City in 2018 for €65 million (£56m/$76m). After five trophy-laden years in England, he left for Al Nassr in 2023.

For Laporte, the move is a personal and emotional full circle. He returns as a vastly experienced defender with Premier League and Champions League titles to his name. His comeback adds pedigree and stability to an Athletic side currently thriving under Ernesto Valverde, with the Basques sitting near the top of La Liga.

For Athletic, the deal is symbolic as well as strategic as Laporte’s return strengthens their defensive core at a crucial moment while underlining the club’s tradition of repatriating Basque players who made their names abroad. It also reflects the increasing tension between European football’s administrative systems and the Saudi Pro League’s growing transfer market, with FIFA’s intervention here offering a precedent for future disputes.

The defender emphasised both his personal joy and his motivation to contribute immediately to Athletic’s campaign, saying: "I'm very happy because this is everything I wanted. Thank you very much for the support. I'm very happy to be here. It's a very exciting season ahead with many matches ahead. I'm really looking forward to helping the team, stepping foot in San Mames, and hoping everything goes well."

Athletic and Valverde need Laporte now more than ever after they found out this week that defender Yeray Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months after it was found he had used a banned substance, resulting in him failing a doping test in May. The Basque outfit face Deportivo Alaves on Saturday.