Athletic Bilbao has promoted five academy players to its first team squad during a friendly match against Atalanta. The club made the announcement official via its website and social media channels on Saturday, confirming the rise of Álex Padilla, Alejandro Rego, Hugo Rincón, Beñat Gerenabarrena and Peio Canales.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported the news as it broke while the team was playing in Italy. Padilla, Rego, Rincón and Gerenabarrena will have first-team squad numbers for the 2026/27 season. Canales, due to his under-23 age, will be registered with the Bilbao Athletic reserve team but will train under first-team coach Zvonimir Terzić.
Who are the promoted players?
Álex Padilla and Alejandro Rego were already involved with the first-team setup last season, though without official squad numbers between 1 and 25. Both are products of the Lezama academy and have made the permanent step up after their performances. Hugo Rincón and Beñat Gerenabarrena earn their promotion after successful loan spells last term, where they proved their quality at other clubs. Peio Canales rounds out the group of five players bolstering the squad for the new campaign.
The Athletic squad for the upcoming La Liga season is taking shape with a clear commitment to youth. You can view the full team composition on our squad page. This policy of promoting internal talent is a cornerstone of the Basque club's identity.
What do they bring to Terzić's team?
Padilla, a 21-year-old midfielder, offers versatility and ball-winning ability. Rego, a 22-year-old defender, brings solidity and strength in the air. Hugo Rincón, a 20-year-old winger, arrives after a loan spell where he displayed dribbling and pace. Gerenabarrena, a 19-year-old central midfielder, is known for his vision and passing accuracy. The simultaneous promotion of five academy graduates is an uncommon move that highlights the club's faith in its youth system.
These decisions are part of the preparations for the start of LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27. The official fixture list, which you can check on our fixtures page, presents a challenging start for the red-and-white team.
How does this affect the season's planning?
Integrating these five players injects youth and fresh energy into the squad. Terzić will have more options across several positions without needing to enter the transfer market, a move aligned with the club's philosophy. The decision, made in the middle of a friendly match, shows the speed with which the club wants to finalise its squad ahead of the competitive kick-off.
The team is undergoing pre-season with the aim of improving on last year's seventh-place finish in the table. To track the club's progress, you can view the current season's stats. Athletic has several fitness tests and preparation matches scheduled for next week before the official season begins.
The commitment to youth development is now more visible than ever. These five footballers have the chance to prove they are ready for the top level and contribute to Athletic Bilbao's objectives across all competitions.
