Out of Real Sociedad's 26 man first team squad, 12 are academy graduates. More than anyone else in the top 5 leagues including their Basque neighbours Athletic Club
Out of Real Sociedad's 26 man first team squad, 12 are academy graduates. More than anyone else in the top 5 leagues including their Basque neighbours Athletic Club
I decided to make 15 years old the cutoff point, so for example Unai Marrero who joined at 15 doesn't count, but Oyarzabal does who joined at 14 from Eibar. With the same criteria, Athletic Club have 10 academy graduates in their squad
Real Sociedad's academy graduates:
Martin Zubimendi, Igor Zubeldia, Aritz Elustundo, Jon Pacheco, Aihen Muñoz, Alvaro Odriozola, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Beñat Turrientes, Mikel Oyarzabal, Pablo Marin, Martin Merquelanz, Ander Barrenetxea
Coming from below there is also Jon Martin, very talented defender who was named on The Guardian's best prospects list
One thing I noticed looking into this is just how good Osasuna's academy is aswell. I already knew that Javi Martinez, Mikel Merino and Azpilicueta are from there but also Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams and Alex Berenguer started out with Osasuna. Iker Munain and Iñaki Williams come from Pamplona aswell even though they never played for Osasuna's youth teams as far as I can see
Then there is the crazy amount of coaches that the Basque country produces aswell: Emery, Lopetegui, Alguacil, Arteta, Iraola, Mendilibar, Arrasate etc.
Surely the best football region in the world per capita