Athletic Bilbao confirmed £57.1 million buy-out clause for Aymeric Laporte has been paid.
Aymeric Laporte has been closely linked with a move to Premier League leaders side. He issued a farewell message to Bilbao supporters on Athletic’s official Twitter account.
He wrote in a message, “To all the Athletic family. So much to tell in few lines. I want to thank you for everything you have given me. I arrived as a teenager and here I grew up as a person and as a footballer. My farewell, ahead of a new challenge in my professional career, I don’t want it be a goodbye, but a see you soon. Here I leave a unique club, different and I will never forget you.”
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) January 29, 2018
Athletic official website did not mention any club name in a statement but confirmed Laporte buy-out clause has been met.
Athletic Bilbao said in a statement: “Today, 29th January 2018, the Liga Profesional de Futbol (LPF) has certified to Athletic Club that the player Aymeric Laporte has met the requirements demanded in the applicable legislation for the valid unilateral resolution of the employment contract that bound him to our club.
“Said certification indicates that the player has unilaterally shown his will to terminate the contractual relationship that bound him since 2009-2010 season and that the amount of compensation established in the contract has been deposited.
“Athletic Club would like to thank the player for his dedication during the time he has been with the club.”
