Athletic Bilbao will hope that their unique transfer policy will pay dividends when confronted with Manchester United.
The LaLiga side takes on the Red Devils in the semi-final of the Europa League with the first stage in Spain on Thursday.
Bilbao is different from most clubs in world football with a self -imposed transfer restriction.
The current team has been assembled for less than the £ 47.2 million that Man United could ultimately pay for Andre Onana.
The Ernesto Valverde team has only five players who have been paid in transfer deals of in total only £ 46.1 million.
They are Yuri Berchiche (£ 21 million), Oscar de Marcos (£ 255,000), Alex Berenguer (£ 9.5 million), Alvaro Djalo (£ 12.8 million) and Maroan Sannadi (£ 2.55 million).
The rest of the team came through the youth academy or his free transfers.
They have collected a top team with people like Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams and his brother Nico in the mix.
The Basque Country where Bilbao is located, has a population of 2.2 million – a quarter of the size of London – and has a low number of immigrants.
Despite this relatively small swimming pool and limited transfer strategy, the club has been successful.
Bilbao has won eight LaLiga titles – which is only less than Real Madrid (36), Barcelona (27) and Atletico Madrid (11).
They also have six competition titles than Basque rivals Real Sociedad.
The club has also won twenty-four Copa del Rey titles with their last success in 2024.
They have never won a European honor and hope to achieve that this season by getting past Manchester United.
What is Athletic Bilbao's transfer policy?
The club has introduced a “Basque -only” policy, which means that not only a football player can play for the club.
The San Mames outfit has stated that all their players must be born or raised in the Basque Country.
Another explanation is: “As an institution, Athletic Club and all its supporters are characterized by a steadfast conviction in a series of values that always become unusual in football and 21st -century sport.
“Athletic Club is proud of itself and has a philosophy and a way to see football that is unique in the football world.
“This ideal is fully reflected in his policy to promote Academy players.
“Athletic Club is located in Bilbao, a city in Biscay, a province that is part of the Basque Country.
“The sports philosophy of the club is governed by a code that states that Athletic Club can only players who can only play field fields who are own academy or the academies of other clubs in the Basque Country, or players born in the following areas that form the Basque country, the Baskourre, Soule and Lower Navarre.”
Why do Athletic Bilbao only sign players from the Basque region?
The rule was introduced in 1911 after a dispute between Bilbao and colleague Basque Side Real Sociedad.
Bilbao had non-intended players from England and some non-basket players in a Copa del Rey competition.
The Spanish FA ruled that players should be Spanish citizens to appear in the competition of the following season.
Bilbao chose to maintain the approach, even when the instructions were later relaxed.
A statement on the club website reads: “During the Copa tournament in Jolaseta in April 1911, several participating teams Athletic criticized for incorrect fielding foreigners.
“From that moment on, Athletic Club would only compete with home -grown players, giving birth to the philosophy that distinguishes it today from another team in Elite Voetbal.”
The policy ensures that the club gives priority to the signing sessions of players born in the Basque Country.
The region is located in the north of Spain and borders France on the west coast.
The policy was implemented to maintain the unique culture and identity of the region.
Has Athletic Bilbao ever signed non-basket players?
The club states that every player has been born in the Basque Country since the start of the rule or grew up there.
However, some players who have proved to be a debate for the club, however.
Former Manchester City star Aymeric Laporte became the first Frenchman to graduate from the club's youth system in 2012.
He was only connected to the Basque Country through his great -grandparents.
France Ster Antoine Griezmann has been controversial because he was developed by Basque -based Real Sociedad.
At the age of 14 he arrived in the club with people like Bilbao's Academy Director, Jose Maria Amorrortu, in the conviction that he would be eligible.
However, some claim that he is not eligible, such as adults transferred by Sociedad.
Should athletic Bilbao managers be Basque and have they had non-basketal managers?
There are some exceptions to the rule, because the club's coaching staff does not have to be Basque.
The club has had managers from England, Germany, France, Argentina and Hungary.
English managers of Bilbao have recorded Henry John Bagge, William Garbutt, Ralph Kirby, Ronnie Allen and Howard Kendall.
The most recent manager who wasn't even Spanish was Argentinian Eduardo Berizzo for 15 games in 2018.