Aymeric Laporte has completed a dramatic return to Athletic Club after FIFA overturned Al-Nassr’s deadline day paperwork mix-up. The 31-year-old defender, who signed a three-year deal, called the move “everything I wanted” as he prepares to strengthen Ernesto Valverde’s high-flying side.
Aymeric Laporte has sealed an emotional homecoming to Athletic Club after FIFA officially approved his registration in La Liga, overturning a transfer delay caused by Al-Nassr’s late paperwork submission on deadline day.
The Spanish international has signed a three-year contract with Athletic, keeping him at San Mamés until 2028. He will wear the number 14 shirt, marking his return to the club where he came through the Lezama academy and made over 220 appearances before a €65 million move to Manchester City in 2018.
FIFA’s intervention came after Athletic and the Spanish Football Federation appealed against the collapse of the deal, ensuring the defender’s long-awaited return went through.
A Full Circle for Laporte
For Laporte, the move is both professional and deeply personal. After five trophy-filled years at City — where he won Premier League and Champions League titles — and a season in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, he returns to the Basque Country as a seasoned leader ready to reinforce Ernesto Valverde’s impressive side.
“This is everything I wanted,” Laporte said on arrival. “I’m very happy to be here. It’s a very exciting season ahead with many matches. I’m really looking forward to helping the team, stepping foot in San Mamés, and hoping everything goes well.”
Why It Matters for Athletic
Athletic Club have made it a tradition to bring back Basque players who made their names abroad, and Laporte’s return continues that legacy. His experience provides much-needed defensive stability at a critical time, especially after the club confirmed that Yeray Álvarez has been handed a 10-month suspension for failing a doping test.
Valverde’s side, sitting near the top of La Liga, will now look to Laporte to anchor their backline as they aim to maintain momentum both domestically and in Europe.
