Mikel San José
A Spanish defender and midfielder who made 397 appearances for Athletic Bilbao between 2009 and 2020.
Mikel San José Domínguez is a Spanish former professional footballer born on 30 May 1989 in Pamplona. He played as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, initially joining Liverpool's reserves in August 2007 before returning to Athletic Bilbao on loan in August 2009. He made the move permanent in May 2010, making 397 competitive appearances for the club and winning the 2015 Supercopa de España. After leaving in July 2020, he spent a season with Birmingham City in England before returning to Spain to play one year at Amorebieta in the Segunda División, retiring on 14 August 2022.
- Club Affiliation
- Athletic Bilbao (First Team: 2009–2020), Birmingham City (2020–2021), Amorebieta
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
San José's journey began at Txantrea before he joined Athletic's academy at age 16. After a stint with Liverpool Reserves where he won the 2007–08 Premier Reserve League title, he returned to Bilbao on loan in August 2009, making his debut against Austria Wien. Frustrated initially, he made his La Liga debut on 8 November 2009 against Racing Santander before signing permanently on 19 May 2010. He became a staple under coaches like Marcelo Bielsa and Joaquín Caparrós, scoring the first ever goal at the new San Mamés Stadium on 16 September 2013. His European highlights included his first Champions League goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in November 2014 and netting the opener from 46 metres against Barcelona in the 2015 Supercopa de España. He reached his 300th top-flight appearance on 24 November 2019, breaking Osasuna's home streak. His departure in July 2020 was marked by an empty San Mamés farewell after the pandemic-delayed season.
In Their Own Story
On 5 December 2010, in his first Basque derby against Real Sociedad at Anoeta, San José faced a painful moment when he conceded a penalty and scored an own goal in a 2–0 defeat. Yet, resilience defined his career. In the 2012–13 season, he netted six goals across all competitions, including a strike against HJK in the Europa League play-offs. His most memorable European night came on 25 November 2014 when he scored Athletic's only goal in a group match away to Shakhtar Donetsk. The following year, he struck from 46 metres to open a 4–0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Supercopa de España. Despite being overshadowed by Aymeric Laporte at times, his leadership shone through. In September 2019, he celebrated ten years with the club, and on 24 November, he hit his 300th La Liga appearance. His final chapter at Bilbao ended in July 2020; though he was in the matchday squad for the last home fixture, he remained on the bench, unable to participate in the cup final his team won.
Reader's Guide
Mikel San José arrived at Liverpool as an 18-year-old in August 2007 but found greater first-team prospects by returning to Athletic Bilbao. He made his senior debut for Spain on 4 September 2014 against France and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016. Fans should note his versatility: he played both defensive midfield and centre-back, often stepping up to take penalties in his early years at the club. His international youth career saw him win European Championships with Spain U-19 in 2007 and U-21 in 2011. Domestically, he secured the 2015 Supercopa de España but also suffered runner-up finishes in the Copa del Rey (2011–12, 2014–15) and Europa League (2011–12). After a difficult season at Birmingham City where his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 28 May 2021, he joined Amorebieta. He scored once in the Segunda División for them before announcing his retirement on 14 August 2022.
Did You Know?
- San José scored the very first goal at the new San Mamés Stadium on 16 September 2013.
- He netted an opening goal against Barcelona from 46 metres in the 2015 Supercopa de España first leg.
- His only Champions League goal came in a group match away to Shakhtar Donetsk on 25 November 2014.
- He made his senior international debut on 4 September 2014, featuring the full 90 minutes in a loss to France.
- San José reached 300 La Liga appearances on 24 November 2019, breaking a 31-game unbeaten home streak for Osasuna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mikel San José?
He is a Spanish former professional footballer born in Pamplona who primarily played as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for Athletic Bilbao.
When did he join Athletic Bilbao permanently?
Although he initially arrived on loan from Liverpool in 2009, his transfer to the club became permanent in May 2010.
How many appearances did he make for Bilbao?
San José made a total of 397 competitive appearances during his decade-long tenure with the first team from 2009 to 2020.
Did he win any trophies at Athletic Bilbao?
Yes, he secured the 2015 Supercopa de España title while representing the club before departing in July 2020.
Where did his career end after leaving Bilbao?
Following his departure, he spent time at Birmingham City and Amorebieta before retiring in August 2022.
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