Thehe first time the Athletic striker featured in the UK, an young playing for the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in fall 2015, he hit the target. The second time he took the field in British turf, against Sunderland following that, he converted. The third time, against Manchester City soon after, sure enough, he repeated the feat. Upon his comeback to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, also. “Truly,” he states, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” Thus the club did their duty: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the attacker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Man United, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu and another flight to England, now to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for the team, due in part to the pressures of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in European competition. But, consider the broader view, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are unique and debuting in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. The son of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, the former star and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a drop in category and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of their lives.
“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you progress through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his debut and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it helps. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, you have everything, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. At Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and should the time come the requirement appears for your role, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Especially after the previous season which, sometimes, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
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