Athletic Club will honor the "eternal presence" of Iribar with a sculpture in San Mamés

MADRID, 1 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Athletic Club confirmed this Wednesday that it is going to honor the figure of former goalkeeper José Ángel Iribar, "perhaps the greatest" of all its legends and "the one that arouses the greatest affection and admiration", with a sculpture next to San Mamés that serves to " praise" Bilbao with its "eternal presence.

On the occasion of the 80th birthday of 'Txopo', who played for the Biscayan team from 1962 until his retirement in 1980, being the player with the most games played (614), the club chaired by Jon Uriarte has written him a letter to congratulate and remind him that marked "an era on the pitch" as a rojiblanco player, especially because of "the way" in which he achieved things.

"You are a benchmark for our club, our Villa, for the world and for our people. You did and do a great job every day to keep our roots alive. Our culture, our traditions, our Basque, owe you a lot", stressed the Athletic in the letter published on its website, signed by Juan Mari Aburto, mayor of Bilbao, and Jon Uriarte, president of the club, and made "public because the gift is on behalf of all the fans."

The Basque team pointed out that the reason for this letter was to tell him that they had "another surprise and a gift that will last over time" for Iribar after he invited all "the goalkeepers and goalkeepers to wear black" this weekend. the characteristic color of the exporter.

"When the City Council and the club got together, we were clear that there could not be a better gift for you than the one that shows all the affection that members, 'athleticzales' of the world, supporters and the People who love you, profess you. For That is why we are going to praise Bilbao with your eternal presence. We will give you more details shortly, but know that before the end of 2023, all that affection will take the form of a sculpture next to the San Mamés field. Because there is none like Iribar", he declared .