Unai Simon signs five-year Athletic deal with no release clause


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DATE: Aug. 21, 2020, 9:56 a.m.

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  1. Unai Simon has signed a new five-year contract with Athletic Bilbao that does not include a release clause.
  2. Goalkeeper Simon, 23, has reportedly been monitored by Real Madrid and Inter and would have been available for €50million under the terms of his previous deal.
  3. However, after seeing Chelsea trigger an €80m buy-out fee in Kepa Arrizabalaga's contract at San Mames in 2018, Athletic have moved to avoid a repeat.
  4. Simon moved into the first team following Kepa's exit and Thursday's announcement coincided with the second anniversary of his LaLiga debut and a first call-up to the Spain squad from Luis Enrique.
  5. "I've been here since I was 14 years old. Being here until 2025 is a dream for me. I am very proud and happy for the trust the club has placed in me," he said in a club interview.
  6. "It's been a complete, very beautiful day for me."
  7. Sporting director Rafael Alkorta added: "Both parties were clear about what we wanted and it was easy for us to reach an agreement.
  8. "Unai Simon's commitment to Athletic is outstanding. It is a day for us all to be happy. Unai is growing a lot and he wants to continue doing so. We have a top goalkeeper in Europe for many years to come."

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