Sabin Merino
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sabin Merino Zuloaga (Basque: [s̺aβin meɾino]; Spanish: [saˈβim meˈɾino]; born 4 January 1992) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays mainly as a left winger for Primera Federación club Barakaldo.
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Merino with Athletic Bilbao in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sabin Merino Zuloaga | ||
| Date of birth | 4 January 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Urduliz, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Barakaldo | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Danok Bat | ||
| 2002–2005 | Athletic Bilbao | ||
| 2005–2008 | Danok Bat | ||
| 2008–2009 | Javanon | ||
| 2009–2011 | Danok Bat | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2013 | Basconia | 70 | (27) |
| 2012–2015 | Bilbao Athletic | 81 | (21) |
| 2015–2019 | Athletic Bilbao | 48 | (6) |
| 2018–2019 | → Leganés (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Leganés | 2 | (0) |
| 2020 | Deportivo La Coruña | 18 | (5) |
| 2020–2022 | Leganés | 50 | (11) |
| 2022–2024 | Zaragoza | 16 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Atlético San Luis (loan) | 23 | (2) |
| 2023–2024 | → Racing Ferrol (loan) | 36 | (5) |
| 2025 | Saprissa | 10 | (1) |
| 2025– | Barakaldo | 10 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| 2016 | Basque Country | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 November 2025 | |||
Club career
Athletic Bilbao
Born in Urduliz, Biscay, Basque Country, Merino graduated from Danok Bat CF's youth academy following spells at Athletic Bilbao's Lezama and American club Javanon FC.[1] 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.[2]
On 21 June 2013, Merino reached the reserves in the Segunda División B.[3] 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,[4] he was promoted to the main squad in La Liga.[5]
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 PIK in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.[6] After the departure of Guillermo, he was finally granted a place in the roster, being assigned #25.[7]
Merino started the 4–0 home rout of FC Barcelona in the Supercopa de España on 14 August 2015 as a left winger, providing the assist for Aritz Aduriz's second goal.[8] He scored his first at the professional level six days later, opening an eventual 3–2 Europa League playoff round loss at MŠK Žilina.[9]
Merino scored his first goal in the Spanish top flight on 23 September 2015, in a 1–2 home defeat against Real Madrid.[10]
Leganés
On 31 August 2018, Merino was loaned to CD Leganés in the same league for one year.[11] The following May, Athletic released him and he joined the Madrid club on a permanent one-year deal.[12]
Deportivo
Merino signed for Deportivo de La Coruña of Segunda División on 14 January 2020, agreeing to a two-and-a-half-year contract.[13] He scored four times in his first four matches with the club, surpassing previous holder Bebeto who held the distinction since 1992;[14] this feat earned him January's Segunda División Player of the Month award.[15]
Return to Leganés
On 17 August 2020, after Dépor's relegation, Merino returned to Leganés.[16] On 31 January 2022, he left as a free agent.[17]
Zaragoza
On 31 January 2022, Merino joined fellow second-tier side Real Zaragoza on a three-and-a-half-year deal.[18] In July, he was loaned to Atlético San Luis of the Liga MX.[19]
On 25 July 2023, Merino went on loan to Racing de Ferrol for the upcoming season.[20] In August of the following year, he terminated his contract with Zaragoza.[21]
Later career
Merino moved to the Costa Rican Liga FPD in December 2024, on a deal at Deportivo Saprissa.[22] The 33-year-old returned to both Spain and his region of birth in September 2025, joining Primera Federación club Barakaldo CF.[23]
International career
Merino was never capped by Spain at any level. He did feature for the unofficial Basque Country regional team.[24]
Honours
Athletic Bilbao