Last night (Monday 29 January 2018) former Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte issued a statement via various official social media platforms.
The media have been reporting for days that the 23-year-old was heading for Manchester City after the club reportedly triggered his £57million buy-out clause. And now it seems the uncapped Frenchman is heading to the Etihad.
Translation
‘Hello, through these lines, I would like to say goodbye to Athletic and all their fans. I would have liked to do it through a press conference, something that had the approval and collaboration of Athletic, but finally it will not be able to meet the rules of the other club. The most likely thing is that I will post something on the networks to convey my feelings.
‘Therefore, I will try here to extend a little more in the ideas that I made to the club:
‘Since I came to Bilbao as a kid in the 2009-2010 season there have been many experiences that I have had to live, some in sports, but I like to remember that what I am now as a person is, in large part, the result of how They have welcomed me, how they have treated me and how they have shaped me in the fundamental aspects of my life.
‘Solidarity, respect for my partner, collective work, responsibility for defeat and victory, desires and illusions have marked me for good.
‘The challenges, in sports, have been happening in front of my legs: my debut just over 7 years ago in youth, my first goal in that category -front Txantrea-, climbing steps in the Basconia, Bilbao Athletic, my first friendly, debut in the field and before the microphones in European competition, my first goal – before Getafe -, even my first red card. Everything has helped me to learn.
‘When I speak of a unique club, I speak of Athletic, because with a philosophy or better, or worse, simply different, I felt protagonist of a story of Asterix and Obelix, an experience that has allowed me, among other things, to play Europa League , Champions and win a title against one of the great Europeans and, above all, surround myself with excellent colleagues, technicians and a lot of excellent professionals off the field.
‘I only know that I will never forget, I insist, where I have become the best player and person, in the order that you prefer. That’s why I would like to tell you that it is not a goodbye, but a goodbye and that I will take Athletic to my heart forever. Eskerrik asko, bihotzez.’
Aymeric Laporte
Embed from Getty Images
Reports suggest Manchester City FC will make an official announcement later today.
Welcome to MCFC Aymeric Laporte.