Athletic Bilbao's veteran right-back Oscar de Marcos has set a date for his final bow, confirming he will retire at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, the La Liga club announced today.
The 35-year-old defender recently achieved a remarkable milestone, making his 560th appearance for the Basque outfit, drawing level with club icon Iker Muniain. While Jose Angel Iribar's all-time record of 614 matches will remain out of reach, De Marcos has cemented his place among Athletic's most faithful servants.
Since his modest €300,000 transfer from Alaves in 2009, De Marcos has evolved into one of Athletic's most versatile and reliable performers. His contributions extend beyond defensive duties, with 39 goals and 65 assists across all competitions, helping the club secure one Copa del Rey title and two Spanish Super Cup victories.
De Marcos's 15-year journey with Los Leones represents one of modern football's increasingly rare examples of club loyalty, with the defender spending his entire prime years at San Mames.
