Athletic holds buyback option on Segunda's joint top scorer Marín

Athletic sold striker Álvaro Marín to Celta in July 2025 and retained a buyback option; Marín is now the joint top scorer in Segunda with 8 goals.

Athletic and Celta agreed the transfer of striker Álvaro Marín to the Galician club on 25 July 2025. The 21-year-old from Cintruéñigo signed a four-year contract with Celta until 2029, initially to play for their Segunda-division affiliate. Athletic retained a percentage of future sales, a right of first refusal, and a buyback option on the player.

Marín has since become one of Segunda's standout performers. He is joint top scorer in the division with 8 goals, level with Miguel de la Fuente (Almería) and Enric Gallego (Tenerife). Playing for Celta Fortuna, who sit 16th and fighting relegation, Marín has scored six goals in his last seven matches, including his first away goal at Burgos.

The 1.87m striker is known for his physical presence and clinical finishing inside the box, though he is not a creative forward.

Athletic's buyback clause could become relevant given their injury crisis in attack: Guruzeta is out for the season and Maroan may miss 2026. When asked about the possibility of returning to Bilbao, Marín said a month ago: "Never say never. I'm very happy here, I'm excited about this season. We're making a good start, my head is at Celta and I hope I can stay here."