MIKEL MERINO

Biography

Mikel Merino, full name Mikel Merino Zazón, is a professional football player from Spain. He was born on June 22, 1996, in Pamplona, Spain. Merino primarily plays as a central midfielder but is also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or a central defender. Merino began his professional career with Osasuna, a club based in his hometown, and made his first-team debut in January 2014 at the age of 17. He quickly became a regular starter and caught the attention of larger clubs with his performances. In 2016, he transferred to Borussia Dortmund in Germany. However, Merino struggled to establish himself in Dortmund and made just eight appearances for the club. In 2017, he was loaned to Newcastle United in England's Premier League. During his loan spell, Merino impressed with his technical abilities, passing range, and composure on the ball. As a result, Newcastle United signed him on a permanent basis in October 2017. Merino enjoyed a successful first season in England, but injuries and a change in management limited his playing time in subsequent seasons. In 2020, he joined Real Sociedad, a club in La Liga. Merino has also represented Spain at various youth levels and made his debut for the senior national team in November 2017. He has since earned several caps for Spain, competing in international tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League. Known for his technical skills, vision, and reading of the game, Mikel Merino is considered an intelligent and versatile midfielder. Despite his relatively young age, he has already amassed a considerable amount of experience and is highly regarded within the footballing community.