Toronto FC announced Friday that the club has signed midfielder Ager Aketxe using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and will be added to the roster upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and his Canadian work permit.
“Ager is a talented midfielder, that developed at an historic club, in one of the top leagues in the world,” said Toronto FC Sr. Vice-President, Soccer Operations & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “Ager has both the ability to create as well as finish. He possesses a tremendous work rate along with a great attitude. We are very excited to bring him to Toronto FC and have no doubt he will be a welcomed addition to our club.”
Aketxe, 24, most recently spent time with Cádiz Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. (Cadiz CF) where he made 18 appearances, scoring five goals in all competitions. He spent his entire youth career with Athletic Bilbao after joining the academy at the age of 10. After spending three seasons with Bilbao Athletic (Athletic Bilbao B) of the Segunda División B, Aketxe was promoted to Athletic Bilbao’s first team at the beginning of the 2014 season. He made his professional debut on September 17 when he came on as a substitute in a UEFA Champions League match against FC Shakhtar Donetsk. Aketxe scored his first professional goal in La Liga against Elche CF. He helped Athletic Bilbao capture the 2015 Supercopa de España.
TRANSACTION: Toronto FC sign midfielder Ager Aketxe using Targeted Allocation Money
AGER AKETXE #8
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’7
Weight: 145 lbs.
Birthdate: December 30, 1993 (Age – 24)
Birth Place: Bilbao, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Last Club: Cádiz CF (on loan from Athletic Bilbao)
Pronunciation: “AH-GER AH-KETCH-EH”