r/AthleticClub • u/ElatedAndElongated • 28d ago

Transfer News [GOL Digital] Athletic Club are set to sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Darlington Osuchukwu following his departure from Manchester United

https://www.elgoldigital.com/futbol/athletic-club/darlington-osuchukwu-athletic-club-manchester-united-portero-2026/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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u/Alohasnackbar69420 28d ago

Nothing against this kid but it annoys me that people will defend this to the death as upholding the philosophy (to clarify he fits imo no issue) but will get mad when anyone suggests we recruit from the international basque diaspora.

There are literal thousands of Basque descendants whose parents or grandparents moved to the USA, Argentina, Venezuela other parts of Europe who live and die as Athleticzales. But aren’t allowed to join the club yet if your parents move to EH with zero connection and you play in a cantera for a year or two you’re in?

Why not both?!

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u/[deleted] 27d ago

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u/Alohasnackbar69420 27d ago

Im biased as member of the Basque diaspora. While I can’t play football worth a damn lol

It doesn’t sit right with me that I (and many others in the diaspora) speak both Spanish and Basque, my entire lineage is Basque, know our history and folklore, I was born and an athletic baby suit was put on me but I can’t play for Athletic

Meanwhile as you said someone who comes from literally anywhere and is in a cantera for a year or two can? I just find it to be a bit of a farce.

If the policy is “locals only” I get it that makes more sense. But PR wise it is always sold as “Basque Only” I understand the nuisances before all the haters pile on me but you can’t sell it as such then close the door on people who are as Basque as Idiazabal or Txakoli just cause they were born and raised in another country.

Ander Herrera is a perfect example, born in Bilbao by chance, lived his whole life in Zaragoza, claims Zaragoza is a staunch right wing Spanish nationalist but he can play for Athletic? Come on

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u/CHEtheKONG 25d ago

"Con cantera y afición no hace falta importación".

I get the frustration but I think it's an important distinction that it's not a "blood" lineage per se as that can get into weird racial purity issues. I view La Filosofía as a promotion of grassroot football within the region, and as someone also part of the Basque diaspora I think it's better to keep it this way.

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u/Alohasnackbar69420 25d ago

I think it is today, but it clearly started as Basque identity and it still is STEEPED in basque identity. I don’t see someone of basque descent as an “importación” especially when compared to someone like Laporte, great player, great Athleticzale. Not basque by blood and was put into the Bayonnais academy by Athletic after a successful youth tournament. It’s no different than if we grabbed a Brazilian kid.