With one of LALIGA's most prestigious fixtures, the Basque Derby, set to take place this weekend, we have highlighted the five African stars set to grace the historic encounter.
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The match between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad is one of the most storied fixtures in Spanish football history. Two clubs from the same region in northern Spain, but with two polar opposite approaches to how they assemble their respective squads.
In the case of Athletic, they only sign and play players who are from or have grown up within the Basque region of the country.
Throughout their history, most of Athletic's players have been native Spaniards. However, as immigration has increased globally, more Africans have settled in the Basque region, contributing to the emergence of some of the club's most prominent players in recent years.
One of those is undoubtedly Inaki Williams. The Lezama graduate has already etched his name in the club's history books on several occasions and continues to go from strength to strength. Born to Ghanaian parents, the 30-year-old continues to terrorise opposition defences and will be hoping to do the same against La Real this weekend.
While Williams has redefined what it means to be a Bilbao player, becoming the first black player to captain the side, Real Sociedad have a much more cosmopolitan recruitment policy.
Below are five players with links to Africa who are poised to take part in this weekend's Basque derby between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad.
The White and Blues sign players from across the world, and more recently, they seem to have taken a liking to players from the planet's second-largest continent.
The biggest signing in the club's history is an African, and his name is Umar Sadiq. The LALIGA outfit paid €20 million (R375 million) for his services, and although he suffered a season-ending knee injury in his debut campaign, he has shown glimpses of his quality under Imanol Alguacil.
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The club also brought in another African on loan this season from West Ham United: Nayef Aguerd. With over 50 caps for the Moroccan national team, the central defender not only brings aerial prowess and tactical awareness to his side's back four but also invaluable experience in high-pressure moments. The 28-year-old will be hoping these qualities shine through in his debut Basque Derby.
