Here's a comprehensive summary of the Athletic Club (Athletic Bilbao) Wikipedia article:

  • Athletic Club, commonly known as Athletic Bilbao, is a historic Spanish professional football club based in Bilbao, Spain, nicknamed "The Lions" (Lehoiak) due to its San Mamés stadium's proximity to a church named after Saint Mammes, who was thrown to lions. They are one of Spain's most successful teams, holding eight La Liga titles and an impressive 24 Copa del Rey wins, second only to Barcelona.
  • A founding member of La Liga in 1929, Athletic is one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from the top division, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona. Uniquely, it is one of only four professional clubs in Spain owned and operated by its members rather than being a sports corporation.
  • Since 1911, the club has famously adhered to a strict "cantera" policy, exclusively signing players native to or trained in football within the greater Basque Country, a practice that has garnered both admiration and criticism. This distinctive identity fuels fierce rivalries, including the Basque derby against Real Sociedad, as well as significant matches against Real Madrid and Barcelona.