Athletic Bilbao has included youth striker Christian Imga in its squad, who has joined the first team training after his signing from Alavés in the 2025 winter market. The 14-year-old left winger arrives with a long-term contract and improvement and extension clauses, and aspires to become the first minor to debut for the club since Aurtenetxe and Javi Martínez.
Imga, originally from Zumarraga, has been propelled into the first team by the injury of Nico Williams, who was out of the Spanish team's last two games after being injured in the victory against Croatia at the Pizjuán. Williams' absence opens a window of opportunity for the young man, who will be summoned to Vallecas and is expected to begin training with the group next week. However, it is still not clear if he will participate in the next match against Valencia.
The youth call comes a few days after Imga shone in his first matches with the Spanish under-18 team, where the delegation was crowned champion of the UEFA Friendship Cup. In that tournament, the young winger was named MVP, which has reinforced the club's confidence in his potential.
Among the other players who could fill the position, Djaló, who had been considered an alternative, returned with the flu after his stay with the Guinea-Bissau team. Imga's presence in the squad, however, indicates that Athletic is willing to test its talent on the highest stage of Spanish football.
Athletic will continue to monitor Imga's evolution and his integration into the team. If the forward manages to overcome the adaptation process and demonstrate his ability in training, he could start the next match against Valencia, thus marking a historic milestone for the club and for Spanish football.