Arabic version: نادي أتلتيك يكرم الولاء بجائزة النادي الواحد

Athletic Club in Bilbao continues to celebrate football loyalty with its One-Club Award, recognizing players who spent their entire careers with a single team. According to BBC News, this award was established in 2015 to highlight the dream of many young players to represent one club throughout their professional journey.

Dan Parry from Athletic Club’s communications department explained that the award not only recognizes individual achievement but also emphasizes the connection between the player, the fans, and the club. The accolade aims to showcase players who embody the values of loyalty and commitment, even if they are not the most famous or skilled athletes.

This week, a ranking of football’s top ten one-club players was published, highlighting figures from various eras. Among them is Inaki Williams, who has made over 500 appearances for Athletic Club and holds the record for the most consecutive La Liga matches played. His journey began with his parents’ sacrifices, and he dreams of completing his career at his boyhood club.

Other notable mentions in the ranking include legendary figures like Lev Yashin, who spent his entire career between 1950 and 1970 with Dynamo Moscow, and Jamie Carragher, who expressed that being a one-club man was one of his greatest achievements. The award and the ranking serve to remind football fans of the enduring value of loyalty in a sport increasingly dominated by transfers and commercial interests.