Athletic Bilbao announced on its official website Thursday that former Manchester City and Spain international defender Aymeric Laporte has rejoined the club from Al-Nassr.

According to Athletic Bilbao's official statement, Laporte has signed on a three-year deal with the club which runs until the summer of 2027. His release clause, as per La Liga regulations, is set at €65 million.

In addition, according to Spanish online media outlet Relevo's resident renowned Italian transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, Athletic Bilbao had already reached an agreement with A-Nassr in mid-August to re-sign Laporte for €17 million.

However, Al-Nassr backtracked on its promise, citing numerous excuses and refusing to release Laporte. Ultimately, after the player and his agent approached FIFA for help, and under pressure from the authorities, Al-Nassr eventually agreed to issue an international transfer certificate to complete the transfer.

It's worth mentioning that, since the deadline for player registration submissions for this season's Champions League had expired on the 1st of this month, Laporte will have to wait until Athletic Bilbao advances from the league stage to the knockout stage before he can make his debut in Europe's premier club competition following his return.

About Aymeric Laporte

The 29-year-old Laporte was born on May 27, 1994, in Agen, France. He is 1.89 meters tall and primarily plays as center back, but he can also play left back. He is of Basque descent and was naturalized as a Spain international player in May 2021.

At the age of six, Laporte joined the youth academy of his hometown amateur league club, Agen. At 15, he joined the Bayonne youth academy. In 2010, he joined the Athletic Bilbao youth academy and began playing for Athletic Bilbao's satellite team, Basconia, the following summer.

After returning from his loan spell, Laporte completed his Athletic Bilbao first-team debut in a Europa League match in November 2012. Since then, he has established himself as a key player for the club with his outstanding performances, even winning the Supercoppa de España once with the club.

At the end of January 2018, Laporte joined Manchester City for a club-record transfer fee of £57 million.

During his five-year spell with the Cityzens, Laporte won the Premier League five times, the Carabao Cup three times, the FA Cup twice, the Community Shield once, the Champions League once, and the UEFA Super Cup once.

In August 2023, Laporte joined Al-Nassr for €30 million.

During his two-year spell at Al-Nassr, Laporte played 69 times for the Saudi Pro League giants in all competitions, scoring 9 goals and providing 1 assist. During which he has won the Arab Club Champions Cup once, as well as reaching the Saudi King's Cup final once, and the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals once with the club.