Gorka Guruzeta

Gorka Guruzeta Rodríguez (born 12 September 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

Club career Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Guruzeta joined Athletic Bilbao's youth setup in 2014, from Antiguoko KE. He made his professional debut three days later, starting in a 1–1 home draw against CD Lugo. He also had a taste of European competition, scoring four goals in as many games in the 2015–16 Premier League International Cup.

Guruzeta made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 27 August 2018, replacing Markel Susaeta late into a 2–2 home draw against SD Huesca; he went on to appear in eight more league and Copa del Rey matches during the campaign, with one goal in a cup fixture away to Sevilla FC (Athletic won on the night but lost the tie on aggregate). In April 2019, back playing for the B-team in the third tier, he suffered a serious injury, rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee. He made a successful recovery but did not play again for the first team.

On 1 September 2020, Guruzeta terminated his contract with the Lions, and signed a three-year contract with second division newcomers CE Sabadell FC just hours later, with Athletic retaining an option until 2022 to buy him back. He scored his first professional goal on 22 November, netting his team's second in a 3–1 home success over UD Las Palmas. On 16 July 2021, after suffering relegation, Guruzeta signed for SD Amorebieta.

On July 3, 2022, Guruzeta returned to Athletic Bilbao, signing a two-year contract. On 29 August, he scored his first La Liga goals, netting a brace in a 4–0 thrashing of Cádiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla. On 8 November, in his first start, he scored a brace in a 3–0 win against Valladolid at San Mamés.

On 19 August 2023, Guruzeta scored his first goal in the 2023–24 season in a 2–0 away victory against Osasuna, combining with Nico Williams as he would several more times over the subsequent months. On 24 January 2024, Guruzeta scored after 36 seconds at San Mamés in a 4–2 victory against Barcelona after extra time in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. On 20 February, he renewed his contract with Athletic until 2028. On 29 February, he scored the third goal against Atlético Madrid in the Copa semi-final second leg. On 6 April, he started in the Copa del Rey final against Mallorca, in which his club won the trophy via a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw. Although Guruzeta missed the last five matches of the season after contracting appendicitis, which required immediate surgery (depriving him of the chance to increase his total towards his pursuit of the Zarra Trophy), he concluded the 2023–24 campaign as the top scorer for his club, and also set a new personal best in La Liga by scoring 14 goals.

Guruzeta was less prolific in 2024–25 with just eight goals from 51 appearances, hampered by a foot injury

International career Guruzeta was called up to the Basque Country national team for a friendly match against Palestine on 15 November 2025.

Personal life Guruzeta's father, Xabier, was also a footballer; a central defender, he mainly represented Real Sociedad during his career. His younger brother Jon, who plays as a right winger, also began his career at Antiguoko before agreeing to join Athletic Bilbao's cantera in 2018.

Career statistics

Honours Athletic Bilbao Copa del Rey: 2023–24

Individual La Liga Play of the Month: August 2023 (with Nico Williams)