FIFA Clears Laporte Registration for Athletic Bilbao

Aymeric Laporte will officially rejoin Athletic Club after FIFA authorized his immediate registration, resolving a transfer saga that began when paperwork delays from Saudi club Al Nassr initially blocked the move. Athletic Club demonstrated that the required documentation was submitted just before the transfer deadline, leading FIFA to approve the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and notify the Spanish Football Federation, which will forward the approval to LaLiga. The delay had caused Athletic to consider appeals to UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but FIFA's ruling now allows Laporte to join Ernesto Valverde's squad right away. Laporte, who began his career at Athletic before a high-profile transfer to Manchester City in 2018, signed a three-year contract with the Basque club, providing a crucial boost to their defensive options amid long-term injuries. This resolution marks the end of a summer-long uncertainty and strengthens Athletic's lineup with a player of significant international experience. The club and fans can now look forward to Laporte's return on the pitch.