Sabin Merino

Sabin Merino Zuloaga (; ; born 4 January 1992) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays mainly as a left winger for Primera Federación club Barakaldo.

Club career Athletic Bilbao Born in Urduliz, Biscay, Basque Country, Merino graduated from Danok Bat's youth academy following spells at Athletic Bilbao's Lezama and American club Javanon. In the summer of 2011, he returned to the Lions, and made his debut as a senior with the farm team in the Tercera División.

On 21 June 2013, Merino reached the reserves in the Segunda División B. On 29 June 2015, after scoring a career-best 18 goals during the season as they returned to Segunda División after a 19-year absence, he was promoted to the main squad in La Liga.

Merino made his official debut with the first team on 6 August 2015, coming on as a second-half substitute for Javier Eraso in a 0–0 away draw against Inter Baku in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. After the departure of Guillermo, he was finally granted a place in the roster, being assigned #25.

Merino started the 4–0 home rout of Barcelona in the Supercopa de España on 14 August 2015 as a left winger, providing the assist for Aritz Aduriz's second goal. He scored his first at the professional level six days later, opening an eventual 3–2 Europa League playoff round loss to Žilina.

Merino scored his first goal in the Spanish top flight on 23 September 2015, in a 1–2 home defeat against Real Madrid.

Leganés On 31 August 2018, Merino was loaned to Leganés in the same league for one year. The following May, Athletic released him and he joined the Madrid club on a permanent one-year deal.

Deportivo Merino signed for Deportivo de La Coruña of Segunda División on 14 January 2020, agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract. He scored four times in his first four matches with the club, surpassing previous holder Bebeto who held the distinction since 1992; this feat earned him January's Segunda División Player of the Month award.

Return to Leganés On 17 August 2020, after Dépors relegation, Merino returned to Leganés. On 31 January 2022, he left as a free agent.

Zaragoza On 31 January 2022, Merino joined fellow second-tier side Real Zaragoza on a three-and-a-half-year deal. In July, he was loaned to Atlético San Luis of the Liga MX.

On 25 July 2023, Merino went on loan to Racing de Ferrol for the upcoming season. In August of the following year, he terminated his contract with Zaragoza.

Later career Merino moved to the Costa Rican Liga FPD in December 2024, on a deal at Deportivo Saprissa. The 33-year-old returned to both Spain and his region of birth in September 2025, joining Primera Federación club Barakaldo.

International career Merino was never capped by Spain at any level. He did feature for the unofficial Basque Country regional team.

Honours Athletic Bilbao Supercopa de España: 2015