Jesús Areso

Jesús Areso Blanco (born 2 July 1999) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.

Club career Athletic Bilbao Born in Cascante, Navarre, Areso joined CA Osasuna's youth setup in 2014, from CD Aluvión. On 7 July 2017, after finishing his formation, he moved to Athletic Bilbao after the club paid his € 450,000 release clause; alleging "abusive behavior", Osasuna chose to break off relations with Athletic after this.

Areso was assigned to Athletic's reserves in Segunda División B, making his senior debut on 2 September 2017 by coming on as a late substitute for Peru Nolaskoain in a 4–0 home routing of Real Unión. Initially a backup to Jon Sillero, he subsequently became a starter from the 2018–19 campaign onwards.

In August 2020, after making the pre-season with the main squad, Areso was demoted to the B team after refusing to agree to a new deal, and spent the entire season without playing a single minute. He allegedly refused a contract renewal after seeing few chances of playing in the first team, and officially left the club on 26 May 2021.

Osasuna Immediately after leaving Athletic, Areso returned to Osasuna after signing a five-year contract on 26 May 2021. He made his professional – and La Liga – debut on 26 September, starting in a 3–2 away win over RCD Mallorca.

On 23 August 2022, after featuring rarely, Areso was loaned to Segunda División side Burgos CF for the season. On 21 January 2024, having returned to Osasuna, he scored the winning goal in a 3–2 victory against Getafe CF after a cross from the touchline at a distance of over 30 meters (98 ft) curled the other way, finding its way into the net.

Athletic Bilbao return On 22 July 2025, Areso returned to Athletic on a six-year contract, after the club activated his € 12 million release clause.

International career Areso made his debut for the unofficial Basque Country national team in May 2019, in a 0–0 draw away to Panama for which a small, youthful and inexperienced squad was selected.

Personal life Areso's older brother Javier is also a footballer. A winger, he began his career with Osasuna neighbors AD San Juan.

Career statistics

Honours Individual La Liga Goal of the Season: 2023–24 La Liga Goal of the Month: January 2024