Etxeberria signs 'free' contract.

[JPK]

Joseba Etxeberria has put pen-to-paper on a one-year contract extension at Athletic Bilbao that will see him play out the rest of his career for free.

The 31-year-old has made the huge gesture in a bid to give something back to the fans for their loyalty to him throughout his 15-year stint with the club.

Etxeberria was just 17 when he joined the club and says there is no other place he would rather finish his career.

"I wanted to do this gesture but never, in any moment, did I want to set a precedent," he said.

Loyal

The loyal striker is hoping to reach 500 games played when he retires after a 15-year career at San Mames.

During his professional career, Etxeberria boasts 12 goals in 53 appearances for Spain and 101 Spanish league goals for Athletic.

He also figured twice in the European Championship and played at the 1998 World Cup.

Club president Fernando Garcia Macau is completely bowled over by the huge gesture, calling it a "football first."

"From the club's standpoint there are not words to thank such a gesture," Garcia Macau said.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11827_4236718,00.html

Great to see it. He obviously loves his fans and he is a legend after this

[Craig_H]

That's an incredible gesture, what a top man.

[bobbyfallon]

could have donated it to a charity

[Leyton388]

Alot of footballers should take note of this. What a massive gesture to the club. I mean the guy is obviously set for life money wise nd what a way to say thankyou.

[Pablo]

Apparently Rick Parry had to work very hard to negotiate this contract for him

Lovely gesture. Might well set a precedent, but its not one I can see all that many following.

[Liverpool]

, Good gesture not going to slate him but a charity donation would have been better.

[Red Chilli]

Top bloke.

Sure he does his fair share for charity as well as it takes a generous man to do something like that.

[Shaggy]

Great to see this sort of stuff. Respect to the bloke.

[Red Chilli]

Great to see this sort of stuff. Respect to the bloke.

Yeah, he could easily have moved to another club, taken a fat signing on fee etc. Instead he's broken the mould and shown that not all footballers are greedy *******s.

[-V-]

Top bloke. A few footballers have donated their testimonial cash back to their clubs. Im sure Nial Quinn gave back over a £1m did he not?

[Shaggy]

Think you're right, aye.

[Red Chilli]

It's not testimonial cash though, is it? Fair play to Quinny but this will probably amount to more than testimonial cash.

[Darkon]

It's a fantastic gesture in modern football, where all top players earn way to much and all payed by the fans.

I would love to see more players do this!

[Kenneth]

Maybe he wouldn't have got the one year extension if the club had to pay his salary, so a charity donation may not have been possible.

[Angryred]

There are ways & means around for a player to get paid!
Expenses could be high or he could have got a lump sum salary!
Nothing is ever free!
My guess for forsaking his salary, he will want his expenses paid for anyhow! Seems like his forgone his match fees/win bonuses/sponsorship/qualification/appearance etc but not his everyday expenses such as travel, medical, family etc...

If he's gone & forsaken the lot, then it's unreal but unlikely!