What has happened to Athletic Bilbao's central defenders?

Athletic Bilbao has been an exporter of central defenders this summer. Jon de Luis, Aimar Duñabeitia, and Eneko Ebro have found new destinations. De Luis, who was listed with Ernesto Valverde's first team in Champions, signed with EKifisia FC of the Greek Super League as a free agent after his contract with the Ibaigane club ended in June.

Why are the central defenders leaving?

The overwhelming reality of the quality of the four established players in the first team, all of whom are international defenders, has led to the departure of these three central defenders. Yeray, Laporte, Vivian, and Paredes, plus Monreal who is doing preseason with Terzic, and Egiluz, who is recovering from his cruciate ligament operation, have occupied the positions in the starting team.

What comes next?

The departure of these central defenders has made way for those who are moving up from the second reserve team, Basconia, to Bilbao Athletic this summer. Zarandona and Larrea, very promising, will compete with Izagirre, one of the most promising players in that position. Additionally, other central defenders like Vivian and Egiluz, on loan to Mirandés, Mendibe, now at SD Amorebieta, Trespalacios, at Getafe B, Sillero, Gomeza or Adrián Pérez Bolo, who has just joined UD Logroñés, are moving through clubs in the Primera Federación seeking to make the jump with the guarantee of their training in the rojiblanca factory.